Physical restraint of acting-out children

Staff in kindergartens, schools and residential treatments sometimes intervene physically when a child is acting out, by physically restraining the child. This is an immediate and temporary measure that is used when verbal intervention doesn´t work and the child is in danger of hurting himself or others. Physical restraint means that the staff sits down and restrain the child in the lap, stand up and restrain the child in arms and legs or lay down the child on the floor and restrain him or her there. To use physical restraint routinely is controversial. Physical restraint can be perceived as offensive and can also harm the child. An important question is therefore if it is scientifically studied which medical and psychological risks physical restraint can bring on acting-out children.