A Study on Family Satisfaction with Community Mental Health Center Services in Gyeonggi Province by Families of People with Mental Illness

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the service satisfaction for families who have someone with mental illness, and are using community mental health centers in Gyeonggi Province. METHODS: The participants in this study were 796 family members. Data were collected using Family satisfaction survey questionnaire developed by the author (23 items on family service and 15 items on client service). RESULTS: The total satisfaction level for the service with family and client resulted in above average scores. Of the 23 service items, data showed the highest level of satisfaction was with professional skills and attitude, and day rehabilitation programs, and the lowest for professional activities for advocacy and social welfare benefits, emergency & crisis intervention, medical expense subsidies. Of the 15 service items, job and housing related service had the lowest level of satisfaction. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that psychiatric emergency & crisis intervention programs and system development be accelerated. Also, there is a need to develop medical expense subsidy programs for older family caregivers, job and housing focused rehabilitation programs and community facilities for the client, as well as more active and powerful professional advocate activities for persons who have mental disabilities and their families.