4. 08/28/15
4
The Power Struggle CycleThe Power Struggle Cycle
The cycle starts when an individual is attempting to
assert a degree of control over aspects of his/her
life that are controlled by others.
Behavior Level 1
Anxiety:
A noticeable increase or change in behavior, e.g., pacing, finger
drumming, wringing of the hands, staring.
Staff Attitude/Approaches
Supportive:
An empathic, nonjudgmental approach attempting to alleviate anxiety
5. 08/28/15
5
Behavior Level 2
Defensive:
The beginning stage of loss of rationality. At this stage, an
individual often becomes belligerent and challenges
authority.
Staff Attitude/Approaches
Directive:
An approach in which a staff member takes control of a
potentially escalating situation by setting limits.
6. 08/28/15
6
Why Power Struggles happen?Why Power Struggles happen?
Power struggles exist when two people are
trying to meet their individual needs
through increasingly escalating behavior.
7. 08/28/15
7
We often make the mistake of getting into a
power struggle over things that are
inconsequential and unimportant in the
grand scheme of things.
8. 08/28/15
8
We have to remember that this isn’t a jail;We have to remember that this isn’t a jail;
it’s our residents home. We are not prisonit’s our residents home. We are not prison
guards, we’re here to support them and beguards, we’re here to support them and be
caregivers.caregivers.
9. 08/28/15
9
Having few other options, people inHaving few other options, people in
restrictive environments protest the controlrestrictive environments protest the control
by sometimes behaving in ways that areby sometimes behaving in ways that are
challenging. This is a characteristic of allchallenging. This is a characteristic of all
people who are made to feel powerless.people who are made to feel powerless.
10. 08/28/15
10
When a power struggle begins the mainWhen a power struggle begins the main
objective is to end it; not making sure theobjective is to end it; not making sure the
person knows they were wrong and tellingperson knows they were wrong and telling
them the consequences.them the consequences.
11. 08/28/15
11
You have absolutelyYou have absolutely nono
control over another’s behavior. When youcontrol over another’s behavior. When you
give direction to an aggressive or non-give direction to an aggressive or non-
compliant person, that personcompliant person, that person chooseschooses
whether to comply or not.whether to comply or not.
12. 08/28/15
12
Consequences and advice should normallyConsequences and advice should normally
be given when one or both parties are calm.be given when one or both parties are calm.
Try and turn this event into an
opportunity for skill building
13. 08/28/15
13
The message we should not communicate is,The message we should not communicate is,
“I’m in charge and you’re not”.“I’m in charge and you’re not”.
14. 08/28/15
14
Understanding theUnderstanding the functionfunction (meaning and(meaning and
purpose) of the behavior is morepurpose) of the behavior is more
appropriate than right away looking at waysappropriate than right away looking at ways
to eliminate the behavior.to eliminate the behavior.
15. 08/28/15
15
People with seriously difficult behaviors actPeople with seriously difficult behaviors act
not out of choice but because some need isnot out of choice but because some need is
unmet. Extreme behaviors often comesunmet. Extreme behaviors often comes
from not feeling listened to. We need to payfrom not feeling listened to. We need to pay
attention to what people tell us.attention to what people tell us.
16. 08/28/15
16
Our responsibility is to help find ways toOur responsibility is to help find ways to
reduce power struggles byreduce power struggles by valuing,valuing,
enhancing, and includingenhancing, and including people whenpeople when
determining mutual solutions vs. usingdetermining mutual solutions vs. using
methods that are coercive.methods that are coercive.
17. 08/28/15
17
Rather than seeking ways to control people
further we should seek ways to understand
them and to communicate to them that we
are on their side. You usually aren’t going
to go wrong by asking, “You seem unhappy,
is this there anything I can do?” or “You
seem to need something, can I help?”
18. 08/28/15
18
Avoid a power struggle…Avoid a power struggle…
Nonverbal behavior
– Personal space
– Body posture and movement
19. 08/28/15
19
Avoid a power struggle…Avoid a power struggle…
Personal space
1. Personal space varies depending on who is
approaching and what the context of the
situation happens to be. On average, an
individual’s personal space is 1 ½ to 3 feet.
2. Factors which may affect the amount of
personal space needed?
3. Invasion of personal space will increase the
person’s anxiety.
20. 08/28/15
20
Avoid a power struggle…Avoid a power struggle…
Body posture and motion
1. Includes facial expressions, gestures, posture,
and movements.
2. Staff body posture and motion can serve to
escalate or de-escalate a given situation.
21. 08/28/15
21
Avoid a power struggle…Avoid a power struggle…
If someone is noncompliant or argues, avoid being
pulled into the no-win battle of a power struggle:
Step back and listen to the real message being
conveyed.
Redirect to the topic.
Offer choices and options
Consider a reasonable middle ground when possible.
Focus on solutions.
REMEMBER, getting tied up in a POWER
STRUGGLE will likely make the situation WORSE
……don’t pick up the rope.don’t pick up the rope.
22. 08/28/15
22
Remember:Remember:
• Look for solutions not blame.
• Get the consumer to help with the solutions.
• Treat the consumers with dignity and respect
• Doesn’t sound like a drill sergeant. Initially help with
the task and gradually fade the assistance.
• Offer choices. It takes the pressure out of your request
and allows the consumer to feel in control, and
hopefully be more willing to comply.
• When the consumer chooses his/her own plan of action
he is more likely to follow through with a pleasant
attitude.
Editor's Notes
It will be easier to identify anxious behavior in those individuals you know well because a change from that person’s “normal” behavior (baseline) will be more apparent to you. Building relationships with those you in your care will be a great asset in identifying anxiety, and therefore, intervening early.
<number>
When that happens staff usually conclude that additional restrictions that serve to limit self-expression must be needed. Because it sounds more pleasant, people prefer to say When power is taken from someone it is a natural response for him/her to act almost as one would in self-defense to reassert control. Rather than viewing difficult behaviors as an indication to re-think the necessity for restricting people’s right to self-determine, they are often viewed as signaling the need for even more stringent controls.
<number>
People often resort to punishment/consequences when someone does something deemed “troublesome”. We often hear, “So, we’re just going to let them do what ever they please?”.
<number>
It seems somewhat unethical and illogical to respond to people’s desperate attempts to assert some degree of control over their lives by responding with efforts to impose greater and greater amounts of power over them. EMPOWERMENT WHENEVER SAFELY POSSIBLE!
<number>
Our first response in encountering a difficult behavior should be focusing on meaningful, collaborative attempts to determine the nature of the distress the person may be communicating through his/her behavior and practical changes to the nature and quality of the person’s life.
<number>
When people do not act in a cooperative way our first question should be whether we are asking them to do something that makes any sense to them. We would rightfully resent a coercive attempt to force us to take part in meaningless activities.
