Perceptions of the use of restraint with children and young adults with disabilities and mental health disorders: A review of the literature

Physical and mechanical restraint are reactive procedures implemented to maintain the safety of individuals. Physical and mechanical restraint are most frequently used on children and young adults with disabilities and mental health disorders who exhibit an imminent threat of physical harm to themselves or others. However, the current body of research on the use of restraint is limited, especially when examining the synthesis of perceptions of the use of restraint. There has only been one review conducted within the past three decades examining attitudes on the use of restraint on individuals with intellectual disabilities. The current review synthesizes the body of literature by investigating the attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of those receiving and implementing physical and mechanical restraint, including caregivers, service providers, medical professionals, and children and young adults with disabilities and mental health disorders. We also examine attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of the use of restraint across time and barriers to eliminating the use of restraint. Recommendations for future research and practitioners are discussed.