Resocialization problems in a chronic psychiatric department

In this paper we discuss the problems we encountered in our effort of resocialization in a chronic psychiatric Department. Resocialization of chronic mental patients is a complicated and time-consuming task. Good staff relationships are absolutely necessary, otherwise the whole resocialization program could be jeopardized. Changes must take place slowly and be fully absorbed by the ward's life before new ones are introduced. There is always the possibility that the nursing staff will resist any change. This is due to the notion that the more independent a patient is the more dangerous he becomes, and to the very fact that resocialization means some loss of the nurses' authority.