Are interventions in adult inpatient mental health settings influenced by trauma-informed care? A scoping review of the literature

Trauma is known to have negative consequences on people’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Trauma-informed care recognises the impact of trauma, emphasises collaborative decision-making and seeks to empower patients with mental health conditions by acknowledging their trauma histories. This scoping review of the literature explored whether interventions in inpatient mental health settings are influenced by trauma-informed care. The findings show that the implementation of trauma-informed care is linked to reductions in restrictive practices, aggression, self-harm, distress and unplanned discharges, and enhanced staff knowledge, confidence and communication. Trauma-informed care in adult inpatient mental health settings demonstrably improves outcomes for patients and staff but is implemented inconsistently. A lack of guidance, time pressures, a focus on safety, limited leadership endorsement and inconsistent communication about the rationale for change can hinder its implementation.