A number of studies support the view that negative staff and patient relationships lead to patient aggression ( Nijman et al. 1999 , Duxbury 2002 ). Sheriden et al. (1990) found that patients commonly saw conflicts with staff as contributory. Whittington and Wykes (1994a) suggested that certain staff are prone to being assaulted, indicating problematic rather than therapeutic relationships ( Harris & Morrison 1995 ).