Ward Atmosphere Perception: Relationship to Job Training and Experience, Demographic Features, and Locus of Control

Abstract

This study examined staff perceptions of ward atmosphere among 91 staff members on six residential psychiatric units within a medical center complex. This investigation sought to examine the effects of staff members' gender, age, ethnic background, length of time on unit, job training and position, and locus of control orientation (internal—externals, or I-E) on perceptions of ward atmosphere. Univariate analyses revealed significant effects on Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS) scores for sex, ethnic background, job title category, length of time in position and on unit, and l-E Scale scores. Multiple-regression analyses found consistent effects for I-E on all three WAS dimensions, with effects for job title category and sex entering into regression equations on two WAS dimensions. In general, greater internality among male staff occupying higher-level professional positions was related to higher ratings across WAS dimensions. Findings are discussed with emphasis on the pervasive effects of locus of control on WAS scores, as well as the implications of gender and job position effects for future research.