title: [Interrelations of Objective Conditions on Psychiatric Wards and Ward Climate Characteristics].
abstract: Investigate inter-relations of objective conditions and a ward's social climate.
  
  
  
  Staff and patients on 104 wards filled in the short Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES). Assessments were related to setting variables (like open vs. closed wards, forensic vs. general psychiatric wards, ward size, staffing).
  
  
  
  Setting variables and climate characteristics are strongly associated.
  
  
  
  The EssenCES, originally catered for forensic settings, proved to be useful to characterize general psychiatric wards. A number of suggestions regarding relevant setting conditions are clearly confirmed (like staffing level; open vs. closed wards). Remarkably, staff experience a higher level ofSafetyon forensic than on general psychiatric wards.Patients' CohesionandTherapeutic Holdare rated higher on general psychiatric wards. Heterogeneity of patients (vs. specialization of wards) is not positively related to climate characteristics; staff experiences lessSafetyon non-specialized wards.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Forensische Psychiatrie am LVR-Klinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schalast
authors.affiliation: Institut für Forensische Psychiatrie am LVR-Klinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sieß
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012931:Social Environment