Table 1 Characteristics of participants in individual interviews

Job

Ward nurse

6

Healthcare or nursing assistant

6

Charge nurse or deputy ward manager

4

Ward manager

3

Occupational Therapist (OT)

2

OT assistant, technical instructor or activity worker

2

Consultant psychiatrist

1

Modern matron (lead nurse role for a hospital)

2

Clinical director (medical manager for a group of services)

1

Senior manager of a group of services

4

Gender

Male

8

Female

21

Age group

Under 26

2

26-35 years

8

36-45 years

11

46-55 years

7

Over 55 years

1

Ethnic group

White British

13

White Irish

2

White Other

2

Black African

4

Black Caribbean

3

Black Other

2

Asian Other

2

Length of service on ward in months

Mean (standard deviation)

53 (76)

Median (range)

34 (1-312)

Length of service in mental health care in years

Mean (standard deviation)

14.5 (9.6)

Median (range)

12 (1-36)