Patient and staff perceptions of a psychiatric ward environment

Perceptions of 37 psychiatric patients and 34 staff were surveyed to compare their views of ward environment, using items from the Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS). The actor-observer (A-O) model, which focuses on the inclination of individuals to make ego-enhancing explanations for their situation, was used in interpreting patient and staff differences. Perceptions of patients and staff were significantly different (p less than or equal to .05) on six of the nine WAS subscales. In situations where staff take pride in a behavior (involvement, support, spontaneity, practical orientation, personal problem orientation, and program clarity), perceptions on the WAS were higher for staff than patients. In the area of staff control, which may be perceived as negative by staff, staff rated themselves as less potent than did patients. Discussion of the difference in perception has potential therapeutic use in clarifying roles, sharing of responsibility, and enhancing the ability of patients and staff to express or modify perceptions.