ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR
MANAGEMENT
COMPILED BY JOHN-NWANKWO, JANE C. RN, MSN
MEANING OF ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR
Assaultive behavior is a violent behavior against
another individual. It could result from both
external and Internal factors.
RISK FACTORS TO ASSAULTIVE
BEHAVIOR

Prejudices

Frustrations

Hostility

Being unmarried

Delusion

Initial arrest
HEALTH CONDITIONS LINKED WITH
ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Acute intoxication

Acute paranoid psychosis

Antisocial personality disorder

Personality disorder
TYPES OF ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Weapon-type assaultive behavior

Non weapon-type assaultive behavior
PHYSICAL ASSAULT
Physical assault takes place when someone or a
group of people attacks a person or persons
using weapon or no weapon
SYMPTOMS OF PHYSICAL ATTACK

Threat to hurt

Outright attack such as punching, beating etc

Throwing objects

Clenching of jaws
CAUSES OF ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Frustration

Paranoia

Anger

Revenge

Monetary gain such as robbery

Reaction to medication

Substance abuse
MEANING OF ASSAULT CYCLE
The Assault cycle is used to describe the stages
or phases of assaultive behavior. It shows you
what to expect at different stages of assault.
FIVE STAGES OF ASSAULT CYCLE

Triggering phase

Escalation phase

Crisis phase

Recovery phase

Post-crisis depression phase
AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE
PREDICTICTING FACTORS
It is really easy to predict aggressive and violent
tendencies in individuals. However, thorough
research and studies have identified certain
factors and traits in those who are prone to
aggression and violence.
INTERNAL FACTORS LINKED WITH
AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE

Boredom

Fear

Grief

Humiliation

Sense of powerlessness
PRIOR VIOLENCE
Whenever someone commits a violent act, it is
more likely that such person would exhibit such
violent behavior again. Hence, it becomes
crucial that we identify people with certain
aggressive traits prior to their violent act.
PHYSICAL FACTORS

Lack of sleep

Use of alcohol

Heat

Hunger

Trauma

Risk of violence itself
PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES





Walk away from the scene
Avoid direct confrontation with a violent-prone
patient
Resist the urge to engage in a verbal or even
non-verbal assault with a violent patient
Call a law enforcement agent such as police
You may need to contact a mental health
professional
DRUGS USED FOR CHEMICAL
RESTRAINTS


Benzodiazepines – e.g Lorazepam (Ativan),
Diazepam (Valium), Mediazolam ( Versed), etc
Haloperidol (Hadol)
CHARACTERISTICS OF AGGRESSIVE
AND VIOLENT PATIENTS





Aggressive patients are capable of invading
other people's privacy
They tend to speak louder than necessary
They communicate their aggression either
verbally or non-verbally
Gestures in aggressive patients could be
emphatic and appears as threat
They often assume an upright posture
RESTRAINING TECHNIQUES

Touch support

Back head lock

Front choke

Front choke to the wall

One or two hand arm grab

The use of applicable verbal communication
tactics
STRATEGIES TO AVOID PHYSICAL
HARM

Assume a defensive standing posture

Hair grabs

Learn how to defend the face and the entire
body

Learn how to withstand choking holds or grips

Learn about vulnerable targets

Learn the right way to approach the aggressive
and violent person
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT ACT

Frequent fidgeting

Jaw/ fist clenching

Wild look in the eyes

Slamming of doors

Pacing around and being easily startled