Centre for Policy on Ageing



Some methodological issues in using aggression rating scales in intervention studies among institutionalised elderly
Author(s)	Ajit Shah
Journal title	International Psychogeriatrics, vol 11, no 4, December 1999
Pages	pp 439-444
Keywords	Aggression ; Evaluation ; In-patients ; Geriatric units ; Methodology ; London.
Annotation	Aggressive behaviour is commonly experienced while caring for the mentally ill. Evidence for decline in aggressive behaviour over a 6-week period on a continuing care geriatric psychiatry ward of a London hospital was examined with the Staff Observation Aggression Scale (SOAS) and the Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly (RAGE). The RAGE and all its sub-items did not spontaneously decline. The total number of aggressive incidents on the SOAS, the SOAS total score, and the sub-item scores, except for the SOAS results sub-item, spontaneously declined after Week 4 and became established by Week 5. A "run in" period of at least 4 weeks may be needed in intervention studies using the SOAS to reduce contamination by spontaneous decline. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-000208211 A
Classmark	EPB: 4C: LF7: LDB: 3D: 82L
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.