The ward atmosphere of a psychiatric day care unit on the basis of occupational therapy: Characteristics and development during a 5-year period

Abstract

As part of a process-outcome study the development of the ward atmosphere over 5 years in a psychiatric day care unit on the basis of occupational therapy was investigated. The Community Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES) was administered to patients -about equal numbers of psychotic and non-psychotic—and staff on ten occasions, covering three phases. The ward atmosphere was distinguished by high levels of involvement, support, order and organization, and program clarity and by low levels of anger and aggression and staff control. In phase one the ward atmosphere was mainly in accordance with recommendations for psychotic patients, but during phases two and three there was a development towards more optimal factors for non-psychotic patients, probably reflecting changing needs of the patients. The patient and staff ratings were more in accordance than in most other studies, probably due to high patient-staff interaction.

Milieu therapy, Occupational therapy, Psychiatric community care, Ward atmosphere.