Abstract
Abstract
Background
Physical and mechanical restraints used in treatment, care, education, and corrections programs for children are high-risk interventions primarily due to their adverse physical, emotional, and fatal consequences.
Objective
This study explores the conditions and circumstances of restraint-related fatalities in the United States by asking (1) Who are the children that died due to physical restraint? and (2) How did they die?
Method
The study employs internet search systems to discover and compile information about restraint-related fatalities of children and youth up to 18 years of age from reputable journalism sources, advocacy groups, activists, and governmental and non-governmental agencies. The child cohort from a published study of restraint fatalities in the United States from 1993 to 2003 is combined with restraint fatalities from 2004 to 2018. This study’s scope has expanded to include restraint deaths in community schools, as well as undiscovered restraint deaths from 1993 to 2003 not in the 2006 study.
Results
Seventy-nine restraint-related fatalities occurred over the 26-year period from across a spectrum of children’s out-of-home child welfare, corrections, mental health and disability services. The research provides a data snapshot and examples of how fatalities unfold and their consequences for staff and agencies. Practice recommendations are offered to increase safety and transparency.
Conclusions
The study postulates that restraint fatalities result from a confluence of medical, psychological, and organizational causes; such as cultures prioritizing control, ignoring risk, using dangerous techniques, as well as agencies that lack structures, processes, procedures, and resources to promote learning and to ensure physical and psychological safety.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Life-span and Life-course Studies,Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
Reference59 articles.
1. Abernathy, P. M. (2018). The expanding news desert. UNC Press: Chapel Hill. https://www.newsdesert.com
2. Aiken, F., Duxbury, J., Dale, C., & Harbinson, I. (2011). Review of the medical theories and research relating to restraint related deaths. Caring Solutions.
3. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2002). Practice parameter for the prevention and management of aggressive behavior in child and adolescent psychiatric institutions, with special reference to seclusion and restraint. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(2), 4–24.
4. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2016). Policy statement: Coercive interventions for reactive attachment disorder. Author. https://www.aacap.org/aacap/Policy_Statements/2003/Coercive_Interventions_for_Reactive_Attachment_Disorder.aspx
5. asphyxia. (2003). Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health. In Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health. Retrieved August 4 2021, from https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/asphyxia
Cited by
17 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献