Changes in patients during treatment at the Henderson Hospital therapeutic community during 1977-81

This study is the third in a series which has used repertory grids to evaluate changes in people in various 'treatment' milieux. In this paper findings are reported for 70 men and 33 women patients at the Henderson Hospital. Significantly more patients in the hospital changed in desired directions ('benefited') than in previous milieux studied. Grid interpretation of 'benefit' seemed to have face value for therapist when compared with clinical impressions. Association of 'benefit' with attendance at meetings is discussed and so are differences in results for men and women. Changes in self-esteem compare favourably with such changes in the other milieux and for theoretical reasons this suggests that desired changes will be maintained. The hospital did seem to achieve measurable benefit in patients often regarded as unamenable to treatment.