Organizational Climate and Treatment Outcomes for African American Clients Receiving Services at Community Mental Health Agencies

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study, which represents the second part of a two-part case study, is to develop a conceptual model that explains the multiple organizational, staff, and client factors that contribute to the creation of treatment outcomes for African American clients seeking services from community mental health agencies (CMHAs). Method: An agency identified in the first part of the case study by the authors (Larrison et al., 2004) as achieving similar positive treatment outcomes for African American and white clients is further examined in an attempt to understand the organizational and staff influence on these outcomes. A purposeful sample of staff and African American clients were asked to describe the agency's organizational climate and how that climate shaped the work of staff and the outcomes of treatment for African American clients. Both quantitative and qualitative descriptive data were collected and analyzed in an effort to develop an accurate understanding of how the agency created treatment outcomes for African American clients. Findings: The conceptual model developed suggests that organizational factors mediate the relationship between staff and clients. In particular, we posited that the high levels of involvement with clients, task orientation towards positive outcomes for all clients, clarity of tasks and goals, innovative interventions, and high levels of physical comfort at CMHAs helps to minimize disparities in treatment outcomes for African American clients.

The authors would like to thank the clients, staff, and administrators at Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services and East Central Region MH/DD/AD Planning Board. We would also like to thank the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, School of Social Work for funding the research project.