Research led by Dr. Malcolm Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension Family Education and Policy specialist, has found that use of physical restraint in facilities serving court adjudicated juveniles may cause juveniles to act more violent, rather than less violent. In addition, this finding adds to a growing body of evidence that use of physical restraint on juveniles may have serious adverse effects on juveniles.

The study found that adults who physically restrain juveniles may experience adverse psychological effects themselves. Adults in the study reported feeling bothered and disturbed by being involved in the incidents to the point of needing to talk to someone or find other means of dealing with their emotions.

In the study, “The Restraint Spiral: Emergent Themes in the Perceptions of the Physical Restraint of Juveniles” published in the journal Child Welfare this month, Smith and colleague Dr. Karen Myers-Bowman from Kansas State, interviewed both juveniles and adults to understand their perceptions of restraint events. Physical restraint is a formal technique used in schools, mental health facilities and juvenile centers to restrict the movement of children considered out of control.

They found adults in the study saw physical restraint either as a safety measure or a punishment, while children saw the restraint as punishment. Physical restraint as a means of discipline isn’t legal in most states. In addition, adults who performed physical restraint of juveniles reported after the events they were noticeably upset and had to talk about it with someone.

For more information, contact Smith at 603-862-7008 or malcolm.smith@unh.edu