Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T06:55:01.506Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effects of relocation on long-stay psychiatric patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Marie A Ferrari ,
Elizabeth A Corbett ,
Margaret M Cole ,
Brid Corkery ,
David F Dunne ,
Eugene Morgan ,
Marie O'Sullivan  and
Mary E Buckley
Marie A Ferrari
Affiliation:
St Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, Co Cork, Ireland
Elizabeth A Corbett
Affiliation:
St Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, Co Cork, Ireland
Margaret M Cole
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland
Brid Corkery
Affiliation:
Regional Hospital, Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland
David F Dunne
Affiliation:
St Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, Co. Cork, Ireland
Eugene Morgan
Affiliation:
Our Lady's Hospital, Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland
Marie O'Sullivan
Affiliation:
St Anne's Hospital, Skibbereen, Co Cork, Ireland
Mary E Buckley
Affiliation:
St Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, Co Cork, Ireland
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of relocation on the social behaviour and mental state of a group of 43 long stay psychiatric patients transferred from an old institution to a modern hospital. Method: Each patient was assessed using the MRC Social Behaviour Schedule and the Manchester Scale. Assessments were carried out prior to relocation and at six weeks and six months after transfer. Results: Some deterioration was apparent in the patients' social behaviour at six weeks following relocation but this trend was reversed to definite improvement at six months. There was an overall marked reduction in hostility and violence following relocation. Patients who showed most improvement in terms of social behaviour were the lower functioning group where greater emphasis was placed on promoting basic self care and social skills rather than on occupational therapy. Changes in mental state, following relocation, were minimal but a slight deterioration occurred especially in the area of negative symptoms. Conclusions: Relocations caused no serious adverse effects in the majority of these patients. The improvement observed in certain aspects of behaviour are attributable to the improved physical and psychological milieu of the receiving hospital.

Keywords

RelocationLong-stayPsychiatric patients.
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , March 1994 , pp. 5 - 10
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.The psychiatric service - planning for the future: report by a study group on the development of the psychiatric services. Dublin: The Stationery Office, 1984.Google Scholar
2.Markus, E, Blenkner, M, Bloom, M, Downs, T. The impact of relocation upon mortality rates of institutionalised aged persons. J Gerontol 1971; 26: 537–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Demick, J, Wapner, S. Effects of environmental relocation on members of a psychiatric therapeutic community. J Abnorm Psychol 1980; 89: 444–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Morris, RK, Bowie, PC, Spencer, PV. The mortality of long-stay patients following interhospital relocation. Br J Psychiatry 1988; 152: 705–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Kelly, GR. Minimising the adverse effects of mass relocation among chronic psychiatric inpatients. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1983; 34: 150–4.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Nirenberg, TD. Relocation of institutionalised elderly. J Consult Clin Psychol 1983; 51: 693–701.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Zlotowski, M, Cohen, D. Effects of environmental change upon behaviour of hospitalised schizophrenic patients. J Clin Psychol 1968; 24: 470–5.3.0.CO;2-W>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Pryce, IG. The effects of social changes in chronic schizophrenia: a study of forty patients transferred from hospital to residential home. Psychol Med 1977; 7: 127–39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Brown, GW, Birley, JL. Crises and life changes and the onset of schizophrenia. J Health Soc Behav 1968; 9: 203–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Schulz, R, Brenner, G. Relocation of the aged: a review and theoretical analysis. J Geront 1977; 32: 323–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Chong, LS, Abbott, PM. Relocation of long-stay general psychiatric in-patients. Psychol Bull 1992; 16: 22.Google Scholar
12.Barrington, L, Burke, JL, LaFave, HG. Mass transfer of two wards of chronic mental patients. Psychiatr Q 1962; 36: 286–95.Google Scholar
13.Lieberman, M, Tobin, S, Slover, D. The effects of relocation on long-term geriatric patients. Illinois Dept of Health Committee on Human Development, Univ Chicago, Final Report. Project 1971; 17: 1328.Google Scholar
14.Wing, JK, Brown, GW. Institutionalism and schizophrenia. London: Cambridge University Press, 1970.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Pryce, IG, Griffiths, RD, Gentry, RM, Hughes, ICT, Montague, LR, Watkins, SE, et al:The nature and severity of disabilities in long stay psychiatric in patients in South Glamorgan. Br J Psychiatry 1991; 158: 817–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Wykes, T, Sturt, E. The measurement of social behaviour in psychiatric patients: an assessment of the reliability and validity of the SBS schedule. Br J Psychiatry 1986; 148: 1–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Krawieeka, M, Goldberg, D, Vaughan, M. A standardised psychiatric assessment scale for rating chronic psychotic patients. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1977; 55: 299–308.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Modestin, J, Frohlicher, P, Battegay, CH, Alberti, L. Impact of decisive changes in the clinical milieu on chronic psychiatric inpatients. Soc Psychiatry 1982; 17: 143–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Markson, E, Cumming, J. A strategy of necessary mass transfer and its impact on patient mortality. J Geront 1974; 29: 315–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Heller, T. The effects of involuntary residential relocation; a review. Am J Community Psychol 1982; 10: 471–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Forttrell, E. Violent behavour by psychiatric patients. Br J Hosp Med 1981; 25: 28–36.Google Scholar