[Aggression and psychiatry--does training have any effect?].

This study with a quasi-experimental design was conducted into the effects of an aggression management training on the perception of safety and self-confidence of the participants. Also it was studied whether the participants of the training were less likely to be involved in aggressive incidents. It was found that the perception of safety of the participants had significantly increased compared to the control subjects. No significant differences in perceived self-confidence were found between the two groups. In both the experimental and the control group the frequency of aggressive incidents was lower during the posttest period. This reduction had taken place regardless of the aggression management training. Possibly, the systematic registration of aggression by means of the Staff Observation Aggression Scale (SOAS) initiates a learning process in the staff.