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There is wide variation in the rates of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) reported in nursing homes.

This study aimed to investigate: (1) the prevalence of BPSD in nursing home residents using the BEHAVE‐AD; (2) the relationships of BPSD with (a) demographic, (b) dementia, (c) diurnal and (d) nursing home variables; and (3) the inter‐relationships between different types of BPSD, as measured by subscales of the BEHAVE‐AD.

Over 90% of residents exhibited at least one behavioural disturbance. Specifically, there was evidence of psychosis in 60%, depressed mood in 42% and activity disturbances or aggression in 82% of residents. Younger, more functionally impaired residents with a chart diagnosis of psychosis had higher BPSD rates, as did those residing in larger nursing homes. Individual BPSD were significantly intercorrelated.