Emotional Experience of Orphanage Staff in Caring for Aggressive ODGJ

Emotional Experience of Orphanage Staff in Caring for Aggressive ODGJ

• By Nina Sunarti1, Fitria Prihatini1*;
• Jurnal Nasional Terakreditasi
• 0
• 90-97

Research Objective: This study aimed to explore the emotional experiences, coping responses, and support needs
of orphanage or social-care staff who care for people with mental disorders (ODGJ) exhibiting aggressive
behavior. Methodology: This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach. Eight orphanage staff
members with direct experience in caring for aggressive ODGJ were recruited through purposive sampling at one
social-care institution in Bekasi, West Java. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and
field notes. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, including familiarization, coding, categorization,
theme development, and theme refinement. Trustworthiness was strengthened through credibility, dependability,
confirmability, and transferability strategies. Results: Five major themes were identified: initial encounters with
aggressive behavior, emotional responses to aggression, strategies for managing emotions, meaning-making and
empathy development, and expectations for institutional support. Participants described feelings of fear, anxiety,
tension, hypervigilance, and concern for safety. However, through experience, they also developed patience,
calming communication, teamwork, emotional control, and empathy. Conclusion: Caring for aggressive ODGJ
is emotionally demanding and may lead to fear, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and occupational stress among
orphanage or social-care staff. The findings highlight the need for organizational support, structured training,
psychological assistance, and clear institutional policies. Strengthening staff resilience and burnout-prevention
strategies is essential to improve staff well-being and the quality of care for ODGJ in social-care institutions.

• Katakunci emotional experience; orphanage staff; aggressive behavior; ODGJ; psychiatric nursing
• URL http://file:///D:/Berkas%20BKD%20Genap%202025-2026/Bidang%20B/Nina%20Sunarti%20PHI%20Jiwa.pdf
• Penerbit Copyright © 2014-2026 STIKES Persada Husada Indonesia https://jurnal.stikesphi.ac.id/index.php/kesehatan, Jakarta DKI Jakarta

REFERENSI

Apriliyanti, R., Saptyasari, A., & Puspa S, R. (2021). Therapeutic communication of nurses to
improve self-concept of schizophrenia patients. Journal of Communication Sciences,
19(2), 158. https://doi.org/10.31315/jik.v19i2.4687
Asiyah, S. N., & Balgies, S. (2024). Increasing stress management capacity and coping skills
of nursing home officers. EDUKASIA: Journal of Education and Learning, 5(1), 557
564. https://doi.org/10.62775/edukasia.v5i1.801
Bielinski, L. L., Wälchli, G., Lange, A., von Känel, E., Demel, L. K., Nissen, C., Moggi, F., &
Berger, T. (2024). A qualitative analysis of healthcare professionals’ experiences with an
internet-based emotion regulation intervention added to acute psychiatric inpatient care.
BMC Psychiatry, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06365-z
Bondjers, K., Hyland, P., Atar, D., Christensen, J. O., Nilsen, K. B., Reitan, S. K., Rosseland,
L. A., Wentzel-Larsen, T., Wøien, H., Zwart, J. A., Dyb, G., & Stensland, S. (2025).
Burnout trajectories among healthcare workers during a pandemic, and predictors of
change. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025
12802-w
Hammarström, L., Häggström, M., Devik, S. A., & Hellzen, O. (2019). Controlling emotions
nurses’ lived experiences caring for patients in forensic psychiatry. International Journal
of
Qualitative
Studies
on
Health
https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1682911
and
Well-Being,
14(1).
Härkänen, M., Pineda, A. L., Tella, S., Mahat, S., Panella, M., Ratti, M., Vanhaecht, K.,
Strametz, R., Carrillo, I., Rafferty, A. M., Wu, A. W., Anttila, V. J., & Mira, J. J. (2023).
The impact of emotional support on healthcare workers and students coping with
COVID-19 and other SARS-CoV pandemics: A mixed-methods systematic review.
BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09744
6
Inta, N., Leamy, M., & Grealish, A. (2026). Recovery-oriented mental health training
interventions: An integrative review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances,
10, 100510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100510
Karimi, N. (2025). Caregiver psychological distress in psychiatric inpatient settings: Findings
from a cross-sectional study. Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 1318-1323.
https://doi.org/10.1097/ms9.0000000000004547
Kołodziej, K., Lickiewicz, J., Jelonek, E., Mlocek, M., Murzyn, M., & Dudek, M. (2021).
Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of patient aggression. Pielegniarstwo XXI Wieku, 20(3),
160-167. https://doi.org/10.2478/pielxxiw-2021-0021
Li, C., Yang, F., Yang, B. X., Chen, W., Wang, Q., Huang, H., Liu, Q., Luo, D., Wang, X. Q.,
& Ruan, J. (2022). Experiences and challenges faced by community mental health
workers when providing care to people with mental illness: A qualitative study. BMC
Psychiatry, 22(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04252-z
McPherson, P., Lloyd-Evans, B., Dalton-Locke, C., & Killaspy, H. (2021). A systematic
review of the characteristics and efficacy of recovery training for mental health staff:
Implications for supported accommodation services. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624081
96
Copyright ©2014-2026 STIKES Persada Husada
Pelto-Piri, V., Warg, L. E., & Kjellin, L. (2020). Violence and aggression in psychiatric
inpatient care in Sweden: A critical incident technique analysis of staff descriptions.
BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05239
w
Singh, J., Karanika-Murray, M., Baguley, T., & Hudson, J. (2020). A systematic review of job
demands and resources associated with compassion fatigue in mental health
professionals. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
17(19), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17196987
Subu, M. A., Waluyo, I., Nurdin, A. E., Priscilla, V., & Aprina, T. (2018). Stigma,
stigmatization, violent behavior and fear among people with mental disorders (ODGJ) in
Indonesia: Constructivist grounded theory research. Brawijaya Medical Journal, 30(1),
53-60. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jkb.2018.030.01.10
Journal
Sulaiman, Y., & Rahma, R. (2024). Psychiatric nursing care with major disorders of violent
behavior.
of
Health
Education and Technology, 7(1), 18-25.
https://doi.org/10.56467/jptk.v7i1.135
Tucker, J., Whitehead, L., Palamara, P., Rosman, J. X., & Seaman, K. (2020). Recognition and
management of agitation in acute mental health services: A qualitative evaluation of staff
perceptions. BMC Nursing, 19(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00495-x
Välimäki, M., Lantta, T., Lam, Y. T. J., Cheung, T., Cheng, P. Y. I., Ng, T., Ip, G., &
Bressington, D. (2022). Perceptions of patient aggression in psychiatric hospitals: A
qualitative study using focus groups with nurses, patients, and informal caregivers. BMC
Psychiatry, 22(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03974-4
Zabin, L. M., Qaddumi, J., Ghawadra, S. F., & Battat, M. M. (2025). Job stress and patient
safety culture: A qualitative study among hospital nurses in Palestine. BMC Nursing,
24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-02993-2