Features of the Ward Atmosphere in a Psychiatric Day Care Unit Based on Occupational Therapy – a Comparative Study

Abstract

As part of a process-outcome study the specific occupational therapy features of the ward atmosphere in a psychiatric day care unit were investigated. The Community-Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES) was used to investigate the patients' perceptions of the ward atmosphere in a psychiatric occupational therapy unit as compared to a sample of eight other psychiatric units. The results pointed to high levels of support and order and organisation, and low levels of anger and aggression and staff control as the most prominent features of the ward atmosphere in the investigated unit, indicating occupational therapy specific traits. Furthermore, the ward atmosphere in the unit showed a good balance between supportive and explorative factors and seemed to provide optimal levels for both psychosis and non-psychosis patients.

Key Words:

• occupational therapy
• ward atmosphere
• psychiatric day care
• milieu therapy