Faulty Assumptions Associated With the Use of Restraints With Children

TOPIC: The use of restraints in nursing and other professions has a long and troubling history, particularly in psychiatric settings. No research evidence has demonstrated restraints to be therapeutically effective. A number of faulty assumptions appear to support the continued practice of this unproven and potentially dangerous intervention. PURPOSE: To present and refute several faulty assumptions using the empirical literature and theory, and to discuss alternatives based on the developmental-ecological theoretical framework for responding to crises in children. SOURCES: Extant empirical literature. CONCLUSION: Alternatives to restraints must be investigated and developed to replace the current reactive, crisis-management orientation of practice.