Challenging behaviour, and staff responses to it, in residential environments for people with intellectual disability in Finland

The frequency and severity of challenging behaviour in all 261 adult residents of a single special care district in Finland were assessed using the modified version of the Scales of Independent Behavior Problem Behavior Inventory. The results showed that 70% of the residents with intellectual disability exhibited challenging behaviour that was considered to be more than a mild problem by the staff. The incidence of dangerous behaviour was 10%. Some form of negative intervention (restraints, punishment or environmental restrictions) was used for 56% of cases in which challenging behaviour was exhibited. Punishment iris the most common consequence for dangerous behaviour. The staff in the small community care homes used more positive interventions and less mechanical restraints than staff in the institution. The implications of the findings are discussed.