Effects of the holding technique for restraint of aggression in children in residential care

The purpose of the present study was to further understanding of the therapeutic value of the holding technique for children who exhibit extreme uncontrolled behavior. The data collection in this study was from reports on the use of the holding technique and a questionnaire based on the RAF (regulation, assessment, follow-up) Method, which includes three subscales of a Teacher's Report Form questionnaire (TRF): Social Problems, Aggressive Behavior and Anxious/Depression. The RAF questionnaires were administered to 91 children in a residential care facility of which 51 underwent holding. The questionnaires were administered twice with an intervening period of one year indicating no improvement in the indices examined, including aggressive behavior, but suicide attempts in children who were held declined.