Dr Ramsay Dixon1, Mr Damien Colabattista1, Ms Duygu Serbetci1, Dr Nick Duck1
1Opposite, Malvern, Australia
Biography:
Dr Ramsay Dixon is a Senior Consultant and Workplace Wellbeing specialist at Opposite, a boutique consultancy specialising in human centred design and applied research. He is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Fellow of the APS Clinical and Forensic Colleges, a Board-Approved Supervisor, and ANZAPPL Member. Ramsay was a key member of the project team, including leading data collection.
Abstract:
Purpose:
Aggression and violence in acute mental health inpatient settings is a well-known and enduring significant occupational hazard and barrier to care. This presentation shares findings from a WorkSafe Victoria-funded study which represents a novel application of systems thinking to understand and prevent aggression and violence in Australian adult and youth acute inpatient settings.
Scope:
A six-phase iterative methodology was employed: literature review, stakeholder co-design, multi-method actor engagement (100+ participants across surveys, interviews, and workshops), AcciMap and PreventiMap development, targeted engagement with lived and living experience (LLE) participants and Forensicare personnel, and mixed-methods validation.
Issue:
Aggression and violence emerged as a predictable outcome of accumulated systemic pressures rather than isolated incidents or individual failures. Upstream policy, funding, and legislative conditions were found to cascade through organisational and operational levels, manifesting as workforce strain, consumer distress, and environmental stress. Importantly, LLE participants reframed aggression as reactive and self-defensive responses to coercion, involuntary status, and restrictive environments.
Conclusion:
The study produced validated systems maps identifying 36 contributing factors and 27 preventative measures across six system levels. Findings demonstrate that sustainable prevention requires coordinated, multi-level intervention that balances workforce safety with consumer dignity and rights. This presentation will be of direct interest to those interested in a novel approach to an enduring problem, as well as clinicians, policymakers, regulators, and consumer advocates seeking ideas about evidence-based, system-level strategies to reduce harm in involuntary care settings.