Staff attitudes towards patient-to-patient bullying in a secure learning disability population : a study of sex differences

The current study explored staff attitudes towards patient-to-patient bullyng in a forensic learning disability service housing male clients, and the potential role of empathy. One hundred staff took part (51 men and 49 women). All completed the Attitudes towards Bullying scale - Secure version (AB-S) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). It was predicted that women would report more positive attitudes towards victims of bullying than men, and that increased empathy would be associated with decreased negative attitudes. It was also anticipated that increased length of service would be related to an increase in negative attitude towards victims. The results are discussed with regard to the environment in which bullying is taking place with suggestions for interventions.