Journal of Intellectual Disability Research

Mental health

The analysis of challenging relations: influences on interactive behaviour of staff towards clients with intellectual disabilities

Corresponding Author

A. P. A. M. Willems

MFCG, Multi-Disciplinary Centre for Dual Disabilities, Koraal groep, Heel, the Netherlands

Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Welfare & Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands

Correspondence: Mr Arno Willems, MFCG at St. Anna, Koraal groep, Panheelderweg 3, 6097 AH Heel, the Netherlands (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this author

P. J. C. M. Embregts,

P. J. C. M. Embregts

Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Welfare & Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands

Faculty of Health and Social Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Dichterbij Kennisn@, Ottersum, the Netherlands

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A. M. T. Bosman,

A. M. T. Bosman

School of Educational Sciences, Behavioural Science Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

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A. H. C. Hendriks,

A. H. C. Hendriks

Faculty of Health and Social Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

School of Educational Sciences, Behavioural Science Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

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A. P. A. M. Willems,

Corresponding Author

A. P. A. M. Willems

MFCG, Multi-Disciplinary Centre for Dual Disabilities, Koraal groep, Heel, the Netherlands

Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Welfare & Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands

Correspondence: Mr Arno Willems, MFCG at St. Anna, Koraal groep, Panheelderweg 3, 6097 AH Heel, the Netherlands (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this author

P. J. C. M. Embregts,

P. J. C. M. Embregts

Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Welfare & Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands

Faculty of Health and Social Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Dichterbij Kennisn@, Ottersum, the Netherlands

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A. M. T. Bosman,

A. M. T. Bosman

School of Educational Sciences, Behavioural Science Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

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A. H. C. Hendriks,

A. H. C. Hendriks

Faculty of Health and Social Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

School of Educational Sciences, Behavioural Science Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

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First published: 11 March 2013

https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12027

Citations: 20

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Abstract

Background

Relationships between support staff and clients with intellectual disability (ID) are important for quality of care, especially when dealing with challenging behaviour. Building upon an interpersonal model, this study investigates the influence of client challenging behaviour, staff attitude and staff emotional intelligence on interactive behaviour of one of these relationship partners, being support staff.

Method

A total of 158 support staff members completed a questionnaire on staff interactive behaviour for 158 clients with ID and challenging behaviour, as well as two questionnaires on staff interpersonal attitude and emotional intelligence.

Results

Confronted with challenging behaviour as opposed to no challenging behaviour, staff reported less friendly, more assertive control and less support-seeking interpersonal behaviour. Also, staff used more proactive thinking and more self-reflection in dealing with challenging behaviour. Staff interpersonal attitude in general, mainly a harsh-dominant-resentful attitude, had a significant influence on most staff interactive behaviours towards an individual client with challenging behaviour. The influence of staff emotional intelligence, specifically intrapersonal abilities, on staff interactive behaviour towards an individual client with challenging behaviour was somewhat limited.

Conclusions

This research supports the necessity for training staff in general interpersonal attitudes towards clients as well as training in intrapersonal emotional intelligence, when confronted with challenging behaviour. Future research should focus more on the bidirectional dynamics of staff and client interactions.

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Volume58, Issue11

November 2014

Pages 1072-1082

The analysis of challenging relations: influences on interactive behaviour of staff towards clients with intellectual disabilities

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The analysis of challenging relations: influences on interactive behaviour of staff towards clients with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background

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Results

Conclusions

References

Citing Literature

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