Social interaction and the use of space on a ward of long term psychiatric patients

Naturalistic observations were made on 24 chronic schizophrenic patients in order to determine whether patterns of spatial behavior in a ward setting resembled those reported by Esser et al. for similar population. Patients were ranked in a social interaction hierarchy. Interactional categories included altruistic, verbal, and assertive behavior, and behavior surrounding the exchange of cigarettes. Patient space use was analyzed on a group and individual basis according to preferences for particular chairs or particular areas of the ward. Groups were formed by dividing the interactional hierarchy into thirds: top, middle, and bottom. Results showed that patients who interacted the most (i.e., top interactors) tended to sit in the areas closet to the front of the ward. Middle interactors preferred the areas furthest from the front, and bottom interactors exhibited no preference for any area. Preferences remained stable over a 1-year period. More patients in this study (100 per cent) than in Esser's study (50 per cent) met the criterion of territoriality, as defined by Esser. These findings are inconsistent with those of Esser et al. Possible sources of discrepancy are discussed.