Abuse of staff refers to harmful or neglectful actions towards caregivers by residents or other staff and includes verbal, physical, and psychological abuse. Contributing factors include low job satisfaction, inadequate training, and psychological distress among caregivers.
The term abuse of staff by residents or other staff members refers to various negative actions that can occur in caregiving settings, such as nursing homes. This kind of abuse can manifest as verbal, physical, or psychological harm. Caregiver abuse can be perpetrated by residents who are under their care or by fellow staff members. Examples of abuse include verbal aggression, such as shouting or using derogatory language; physical acts like hitting or shoving; emotional abuse through intimidation or humiliation; and even neglect or exploitation.
In healthcare facilities, factors contributing to staff abuse include low job satisfaction, treating the elderly like children, feeling burnt out, having less training, lower education, and experiencing depression or psychiatric disorders. Research has shown that caregivers with these characteristics may be more prone to engage in abusive behaviors.
An example is the case of a nursing assistant named Tyre, who faced a difficult work environment with long hours, poor pay, and a lack of support from the management. This situation can often lead to frustration and help contribute to the incidence of abuse in such caregiving contexts.