Summary
A psychiatric unit that is characterized by rapid staff and patient turnover was studied longitudinally on four occasions at 6-week intervals, using measures of ward atmosphere, ward activities, perception of patients, and population characteristics. Although the ward did show a great deal of change demographically, perceptions of it were highly stable for patient and staff groups. It was further shown that, in addition to stable perceptions of specific activities or aspects of the milieu, there were also broader underlying perceptual dimensions that were consistent across time. Stable staff-versus-patient and intra-staff differences in perceptions were also found. The results are discussed in terms of the factors that might contribute to the maintenance of such a stable environment, and in terms of the importance of attending to individual variations in perceptions of ward atmosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ellsworth, R., Maroney, R.: Characteristics of psychiatric programs and their effects on patients' adjustments. J, Consult. Clin. Psychol.39, 436–447 (1972)
Jones, M.: The therapeutic community: A new treatment method in psychiatry. New York: Basic Books 1953
Linn, L.: State hospital environment and rates of patient discharge. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry23, 346–351 (1970)
Moos, R.: Size, staffing and psychiatric ward treatment environments. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry26, 414–418 (1972)
Moos, R.: Changing the social milieus of psychiatric treatment settings. J. Appl. Behav. Sci.9, 575–593 (1973)
Moos, R.: Evaluating treatment environments. New York: Wiley 1974a
Moos, R.: Ward Atmosphere Scale: Manual. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press 1974b
Moos, R., Shelton, R., Petty, C.: Perceived ward climate and treatment outcome. J. Abnorm. Psychol.82, 414–418 (1972)
Pierce, W., Trickett, E., Moos, R.: Changing ward atmosphere through staff discussion of the perceived ward environment. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry26, 25–41 (1972)
Ravenscroft, K.: Milieu process during the residency turnover: The human cost of psychiatric education. Am. J. Psychiatry132, 506–512 (1975)
Spiegel, D., Younger, J.: Ward climate and community stay of psychiatric patients. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol.39, 62–69 (1972)
Stanton, A., Schwartz, M.: The mental hospital: A study of institutional participation in psychiatric illness and treatment. New York: Basic Books 1954
Ullmann, L.: Institution and outcome. New York: Pergamon 1967
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.Address reprint requests to Technical Publications Editor, Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco CA 94129
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmidt, J.P., Wakefield, D.S. & Andersen, C.K. Ward atmosphere: A longitudinal and factorial analysis. Soc Psychiatry 14, 119–123 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582177
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582177