The EssenCES measure of social climate: A preliminary validation and normative data in UK high secure hospital settings

Abstract

The social climate of forensic units is important but little investigated, in part because of the unavailability of a clinically practical and statistically sound measure. To provide preliminary psychometric and normative data for the English version of the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) in UK high-security hospital settings. A total of 324 staff and patients from three high-security hospital services completed the EssenCES, and a subgroup completed a range of other questionnaires related to therapeutic milieu and working environment (GMI, WAAM, WES-10). The original three-factor structure and satisfactory internal consistency were retained. The pattern of correlations between the EssenCES scales and other climate-related variables support the construct validity of the EssenCES measure, with the exception of the Patient Cohesion subscale. Although preliminary, these data suggest that the English version of EssenCES may be a valid tool for assessing the social climate of high secure hospital settings in the UK, but a larger research study is required, covering a wider range of psychiatric disorders, types of service and levels of security.