Guardians and handlers: the role of bar staff in preventing and managing aggression

Authors: Graham, Kathryn; Bernards, Sharon¹; Osgood, D. Wayne²; Homel, Ross³; Purcell, John

Source: Addiction, Volume 100, Number 6, June 2005 , pp. 755-766(12)

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Abstract:

Aims

To identify good and bad behaviors by bar staff in aggressive incidents, the extent these behaviors apparently reflect aggressive intent, and the association of aggressive staff behavior with level of aggression by patrons. Design, setting and participants

Data on staff behavior in incidents of aggression were collected by 148 trained observers in bars and clubs on Friday and Saturday night between midnight and 2 a.m. in Toronto, Canada. Behaviors of 809 staff involved in 417 incidents at 74 different bars/clubs were analysed using descriptive statistics and three-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses. Measurements

Observers’ ratings of 28 staff behaviors were used to construct two scales that measured escalating/aggressive aspects of staff behavior. Apparent intent level for bar staff was dichotomized into (1) no aggressive intent versus (2) probable or definite aggressive intent. Five levels of patron aggression were defined: no aggression, non-physical, minor physical, moderate physical and severe physical. Findings

The most common aggressive behaviors of staff were identified. Staff were most aggressive when patrons were either non-aggressive or highly aggressive and staff were least aggressive when patrons exhibited non-physical aggression or minor physical aggression. Taking apparent intent into consideration decreased staff aggression scores for incidents in which patrons were highly aggressive indicating that some aggression by staff in these instances had non-aggressive intent (e.g. to prevent injury); however, apparent intent had little effect on staff aggression scores in incidents with non-aggressive patrons. Conclusion

Although there is potential for staff to act as guardians or handlers, they often themselves became offenders when they responded to barroom problems. The practical implications are different for staff aggression with nonaggressive patrons versus with aggressive patrons.

Keywords: Alcohol and aggression; bar staff; drinking environment; licensed premises

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01075.x

Affiliations: 1: Social Factors and Prevention Interventions, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario and 2: Crime, Law, and Justice Program, Department of Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, 3: School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and

Publication date: 2005-06-01

Guardians and handlers: the role of bar staff in preventing and managing aggression

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