Comparative staff values on the community mental health ideology scale

The community mental health ideologies of groups composed of profession and nonprofessional mental health service providers were measured by use of the Baker-Schulberg Community Mental Health Ideology (CMHI) Scale. The study was designed to: (1) compare current CMHI scores with the original criterion scores of mental health workers, (2) compare CMHI scores of mental health workers from different disciplines who work in the same community mental health setting, and (3) measure CMHI scores for previously nonreported workers, ministers, and board and care operators. Results of the present study indicate that CMHI scores had not changed from the criterion scores over a series of studies, and that score consistency is such that the scale appears to be a reliable discriminatory tool. Contrary to previously reported findings, psychiatrists scored as high as other mental health professionals in the system, and no significant difference was found between disciplines within the professional group. The paraprofessional group, however, ranked significantly lower than the professional group. Clerical and administrative staff, and board and care operators had CMHI scores that were significantly lower than all other study groups. Interestingly, the minister group had a mean score higher than all other groups studied. Our findings suggest that the CMHI Scale differentiates, not only between disciplines of mental health workers who work in the same setting, but also between groups of human services providers in the community.