Key components of de‐escalation techniques: A thematic synthesis

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Abstract
De‐escalation techniques are a highly recommended set of therapeutic interventions that are frequently used to prevent violence and aggression within mental health services. A thematic synthesis literature review identified 11 international papers. Seven themes emerged from the data synthesis. The first three related broadly to staff skills, including: characteristics of effective de‐escalators, maintaining personal control, and verbal and non‐verbal skills. The last four relate to the process of intervening and include: engaging with the patient, when to intervene, ensuring safe conditions for de‐escalation, and strategies for de‐escalation (including two sub‐themes, autonomy confirming interventions, and limit‐setting and authoritative interventions). De‐escalation techniques are an example of a complex intervention, which has been overlooked by rigorous research, and it is often assumed that staff are able to perform these techniques in clinical practice.

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