ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the ward atmosphere of an open ward and that of a closed ward as perceived by chronic schizophrenic patients, and to and out whether the perceived ward atmosphere is associated with their quality of life, and also to get some practical suggestions for treatment policies of open wards. METHODS: Fifty-two chronic schizophrenic inpatients were selected, 26 of them were in an open ward and the remaining 26 patients were in a closed ward, in Seoul National Mental Hospital. All the patients were asked to answer the whole items of Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS) and SCL-90-R. Objective indicators and subjective indicators of their quality of life were scored during a face to face interview using portions of Lehman's Quality of Life Interview. The subjective indicators of quality of life were combined to a single 'global quality-of-life score' and then examined for associations with other variables. All the measures were compared between the two groups. Covariate adjustments were made as needed. RESULTS: The open ward patients reported significantly higher scores on 'support', 'autonomy' and 'practical orientation' subscales among WAS in comparison with closed ward patients. The open ward patients reported higher 'global quality-of-life score' compared with the closed ward patients. These differences were also significant following covariate adjustments for demographic, clinical and objective quality of life variables. Among the WAS subscales 'order and organization'(r=0.49, p <.05) was the highest correlate of 'globol quality-of-life score' in case of open ward patients, and 'support'(r=0.59, p<.01) was the highest correlate in case of closed ward patients. CONCLUSION: The open ward patients reported better satisfaction with life, and their reported satisfaction were associated with their higher ratings on WAS.