Improving Work Climate in a Residential Setting for Juveniles with Mild Intellectual Disability through Training of Staff in Non-violent Resistance

ABSTRACT In residential settings for juveniles with Mild Intellectual Disability (MID) employees have to face tough work conditions, because of frequent aggressive incidents Eventually, this might result in a negative work climate, high staff-turnover and absenteeism. In turn, it hampers a positive therapeutic environment for youngsters. A method that may endorse a better work climate is Non-violent Resistance (NVR). As earlier research suggests that the residential NVR, adjusted for juveniles with MID, is successful in diminishing aggressive incidents and improving group climate, we hypothesize that NVR-MID will be also effective in enhancing work climate. We investigated the perception of work climate by staff of three residential settings before, during and after implementation of NVR-MID. Work climate was assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Outcomes were subsequently integrated. Quantitative data was collected using the Living Group Working Climate Inventory (LGWCI). Multilevel analyses were carried out to analyse the development of work climate over time. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews with NVR-MID trained staff and analysed through qualitative coding. Quantitative results showed that Job Satisfaction decreased after NVR-MID implementation. However, within qualitative reports, staff members experienced a positive influence on work climate of NVR-MID.