Exploring patient bullying/intragroup aggression dynamics in a forensic mental health hospital using records: A theory-informed thematic and spatial analysis

Kapetanou, V and Ireland, J ORCID: 0000-0002-5117-5930 Exploring patient bullying/intragroup aggression dynamics in a forensic mental health hospital using records: A theory-informed thematic and spatial analysis. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. ISSN 1321-8719 (Accepted)

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Abstract

This study examined bullying and intragroup aggression among male patients in a forensic hospital. It was predicted that such aggression would be informed by physical and social environmental factors and individual vulnerabilities such as emotional dysregulation and victimisation experiences. Three hundred and four incidents of patient to patient bullying/intragroup aggression across a five year period were reviewed and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) and Smallest Space Analysis (SSA). Seven themes emerged: 1) Verbal abuse and identity/mocking-based attacks; 2) Negative emotional responses in victims and perpetrators; 3) Aggression to acquire power, control, and dominance; 4) Poor coping and negative responses by perpetrators and victims; 5) Bullying/intragroup aggression as a product of the physical environment; 6) Bullying/intragroup aggression as the manifestation of a social dynamic; and 7) Staff involvement in management and outcomes. The SSA identified distinct behavioural roles and clusters reflecting overlapping theoretical models. This demonstrated how social dynamics, the physical environment and vulnerability-based coping interact. The results offer directions for future research and the value of systemic processes in understanding patient-on-patient aggression.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1701 Psychology; 1702 Cognitive Sciences; 1801 Law; Criminology; 4402 Criminology; 4804 Law in context; 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
Date of acceptance:	28 September 2026
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2026 12:51
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2026 12:51
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29554

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