A social ecological study was undertaken of involuntary relocation within the long-stay sector of a psychiatric hospital, enforced by ward closures. This was done by monitoring changes in ward atmosphere on 6 of 11 wards before and after the closures. The conclusion is that the so-called ‘disturbed’ patients are easily upset by changes of routine but possibly also because paradoxically the slightly younger patients on these wards do not seem to adjust to the change so well. It may be that the older patients on long-stay wards are already resigned to the process of institutionalization.
References
1.
EdelsonR. I.PaulG. L.Staff attitude and ‘atmosphere’ scores as a function of ward size and patient chronicity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1977, 45, 874–884.
2.
FerrariN. A.Freedom of choice. Social Work, 1963, 8, 105.
3.
HoffmanH. R.NicklesL. A.Effects of ward change on patients' psychopathology and behaviour: a failure to replicate. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1973, 29, 97.
4.
HolahanC. J.Environmental change in a psychiatric setting: a social systems analysis. Human Relations, 1976, 29, 153–166.
5.
HolahanC. J.MoosR. H.Social support and psychological distress: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1981, 90, 365–370.
6.
HolahanC. J.SaegertS.Behavioral and attitudinal effects of large-scale variation in the physical environment of psychiatric wards. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1973, 82, 454–462.
7.
KaslS. V.Physical and mental health effects of involuntary relocation and institutionalization on the elderly: a review. Amercian Journal of Public Health, 1972, 62, 377–384.
8.
KellamS. G.SchnelzerJ.BermanA.Variation in the atmospheres of psychiatric wards. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1966, 14, 561–570.
9.
KralV. A.Stress reactions resulting from the relocation of an aged population. Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal, 1968, 13, 201.
10.
MoosR. H.Situational analysis of a therapeutic community milieu. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1968, 73, 49–61.
11.
MoosR. H.Evaluating treatment environments: a social ecological approach. New York: Wiley, 1974.
PattieA. H.GilleardC. S. (1979) The Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly. Kent: Hodder & Stoughton Educational.
14.
PierceW.TrickettE.MoosR. H.Changing ward atmosphere through staff discussion of the perceived ward environment. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1972, 26, 35–41.
15.
RavensborgM. R.Effects of ward change on patient behaviour. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1969, 25, 325–326.
