Ward Environment: Assessment and Implied Function

• Main Author: England, Nancy L.
• Other Authors: Haynes, Jack Read
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: North Texas State University 1979
• Subjects: Ward Atmosphere Scale; hospitalized patients; psychiatric care; Psychiatric hospitals > Sociological aspects.; Therapeutic communities.; Milieu therapy.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc504616/

Ward environment as assessed by the Ward Atmosphere Scale was the focus of this exploratory study. The Ward Atmosphere scores of 110 patients hospitalized on two units for acute psychiatric care in a state hospital were analyzed for determining differences along the dimensions of population factors, sex and program change. Significant differences in attitude were obtained on certain of the ten scales for each of the three comparisons. The premise of ward atmosphere being a global entity as implied in the literature was not upheld in this population. Sex differences were noted and introduction of an individualized patient management program evoked significant changes in opinions concerning ward atmosphere. A number of interpretations for these results were offered and implication for future research was suggested.