Pilot study of aggression in the Forensic Mental Health Service
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pilot study of risk factors for aggressive behaviour in the Forensic Mental Health Service
IRAS ID
360119
Contact name
Howard Ryland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 16 days
Research summary
Aggression in inpatient forensic mental health settings is disruptive for patients and staff. Reducing the risk of aggression is important for creating a safer, more therapeutic environment. We want to study whether patients can recognise and report early signs of their own aggression. If individuals can anticipate when they are at risk of becoming aggressive, this may offer opportunities for earlier support or intervention.
This study aims to explore how patients reflect on and report thoughts, feelings, and behaviours related to aggression. We are interested in how patients’ views compare to how risk is assessed by clinical teams. Understanding this could improve communication about risk and support patients being more involved in their own care.
This is a pilot study, which means it is being conducted on a small scale to test how the research works in practice. We are developing a new questionnaire that patients will answer about their own perceived risk of aggression in the next week. We will invite a small number of patients (around 5) to complete this questionnaire and provide feedback about how they found the process. We will then make any changes to the questionnaire.
We will then invite eligible patients across secure units in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust to complete the finalised questionnaire about self-reported aggression and another questionnaire about the ward atmosphere then has been previously developed. A researcher will visit the units in person to meet with patients who wish to take part. Clinicians from participating patients’ teams will also be asked to complete a questionnaire about risk factors for aggression for that patient and will report on aggressive patient behaviour.
There are no direct benefits to participants, but the study could lead to improvements in the future. The findings will also help shape a larger research study.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0219
Date of REC Opinion
17 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion