Notices

Psych Monthly Research Seminar: New approaches to understanding the problem of violence in mental health units

Date:

Friday 26 April

Category:

Conferences, Seminars, Lectures

Contact:

Caroline Bopp

Caroline.Bopp@monash.edu

+61 3 990 53975

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/research/activities/seminars.html#psych

New approaches to understanding the problem of violence in mental health units

Summary

Aggression and violence are common in mental health units; they have a significant negative impact on the health and well-being of those who are victimised and those who witness aggression. Somewhat surprisingly, research into aggressive and violent behaviour within mental health units is limited. The extant research, although large, has focussed primarily on the elucidation of the clinical and demographic characteristics of aggressive individuals. The interpersonal characteristics of staff and patients and aspects of the unit environment that promote and suppress aggression and violence, and the interaction between personal and situational variables, are rarely studied and therefore poorly understood. In this talk Associate Michael Professor Daffern will discuss his current and recent research, which has drawn upon contemporary models of aggressive behaviour and personality theory to help understand the problem of violence in mental health units.

About the Presenter

Associate Professor Michael Daffern is a clinical psychologist by training. He has worked within mainstream adult psychiatry, forensic mental health and correctional settings. Presently, he is an Associate Professor with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Monash University. He also provides consultancy to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare). Michael’s research interests focus on the assessment and treatment of violent offenders, behavioural assessment methods, risk assessment and personality disorder. 

Date and Time
Friday 26 April 2013, 3pm – 4pm

Venue
Colloquium Room No. 653
Level 6, Building 17, Clayton Campus