This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (52)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

William D. Pierce, PhD; Edison J. Trickett, PhD; Rudolf H. Moos, PhD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1972;26(1):35-41.

Abstract
The paper describes an attempt to change the treatment environments of a psychiatric ward in a direction more consonant with the stated preferences of the staff. The Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS), which measures ten dimensions of ward cultures, eg, Affiliation, Insight, Aggression, Clarity, and Autonomy, was used to assess the treatment environment. Patients and staff described the ward as it was (real ward) and staff also described their conceptions of an ideal ward. The results were discussed in detail with staff in change-oriented feedback sessions. Retesting indicated that there were significant changes in ward environment and that both patients and staff perceived the ward as being closer to the staff's conception of an ideal ward after feedback. Systematic feedback about how patients and staff perceived the ward environment directly facilitated staff attempts geared toward changing various aspects of the ward culture.

Author Affiliations
San Francisco; New Haven, Conn; Stanford, Calif

From the Department of Psychiatry, Mt. Zion Hospital and Medical Center, San Francisco (Dr. Pierce), the Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (Dr. Trickett), and the Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (Dr. Moos). Dr. Pierce is now at the Westside Community Mental Health Center, San Francisco.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 6, 1970.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Differences Between Student and Teacher Perceptions of Actual and Preferred Classroom Learning Environment
Fraser
EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS 1982;4:511-519.
 

Ward Treatment Milieu and Posthospital Functioning
Klass et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1977;34:1047-1052.
ABSTRACT  

The Social Climate of Alcoholism Treatment Programs
Bromet et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1976;33:910-916.
ABSTRACT  

Personal Needs, Values, and Technical Preferences in the Psychiatric Hospital: A Replicated Study
Reiss et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1976;33:795-804.
ABSTRACT  

Changing the Social Milieus of Psychiatric Treatment Settings
Moos
Journal of Applied Behavioral Science 1973;9:575-593.
ABSTRACT