Psychiatric Residential Facilities Research Articles

Functioning Management and Recovery, a psychoeducational intervention for psychiatric residential facilities: a multicenter follow-up study

AimFunctional Management and Recovery is a standardized Psychoeducational Intervention, derived from “Integro”, an effective salutogenic-psychoeducational intervention for people in recovery journey, designed to improve recovery and functioning of individuals with psychotic disorders in Psychiatric Residential Facilities (PRFs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the primary and secondary outcomes of this intervention elaborated specifically for PRFs where evidence based structured interventions seem rare and desirable.Methods66 individuals with psychotic disorders were recruited in 9 PRFs dislocated in the North, Center and South Italy and 63 underwent a multicenter follow-up study with a two time-point evaluation (t0, pre-treatment and t1, 6 months; ). At each time point, social functioning was assessed as primary outcome by the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP); furthermore, psychopathological status was assessed by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Recovery by Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Cognitive Functioning by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Stress management by Stress-Scale, Cognitive Flexibility by Modified Five-Point Test (M-FPT), Emotional Intelligence by Emotional Intelligence Index (EI-I), the PRF Atmosphere and the Opinion of users about the PFR by an ad hoc questionnaire. The Abilities Knowledge, the Utility and Pleasantness of sessions were measured by an ad hoc list of items.Results63 individuals out of 66, 52 (82,5%) affected by schizophrenia and 11 (17,5%) by bipolar I disorder with psychotic symptoms according to DSM-5-TR completed the study. At the end of the study, 43 (68,3%) were male, 57 (90.5%) were single, 5 (7.9%) engaged, 1 (1.6%) married; 45 (71.4%) unemployed. The total scores of PSP, RAS, BPRS, BANS, Stress management, Abilities Knowledge, Utility and Pleasantness of sessions showed a statistically significant improvement at t1 vs. t0. Two sub-scales out of 5 of M-FPT showed a statistically significant improvement. The Emotional Intelligence, the Unit Atmosphere and the Opinion of Users about PFR improved without statistical significance. Six months after the end of the follow-up study 22 individuals of the sample were dismissed with a very high turnover.ConclusionsAfter a six-month follow-up (a short period of time), these results showed improvement in functioning, the primary outcome, as well as in the following secondary outcome variables: RAS, BPRS, BANS, Stress management, Abilities Knowledge, two sub-scales out of 5 of M-FPT, Utility and Pleasantness of sessions. Overall, a remarkable impact of psychoeducational structured intervention on the key Recovery variables is observed. Further studies are needed to address extent and duration of these improvements.

Re-Evaluating the Benefits and Challenges of Communal Pet Dog Ownership at an Adult Residential Psychiatric Facility

Re-Evaluating the Benefits and Challenges of Communal Pet Dog Ownership at an Adult Residential Psychiatric Facility

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Rehabilitation in Residential Facilities: Perspectives of Staff and Residents

The coronavirus pandemic imposed significant changes in the care of patients in psychiatric residential facilities, especially during lockdown periods. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on patients and staff of psychiatric residential facilities (RFs). This cross-sectional survey was conducted between 30 June and 30 July 2021 and involved 31 RFs located in the province of Verona (Italy). In total, 170 staff members and 272 residents participated in this study. Staff showing clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout were, respectively, 7.7%, 14.2% and 6%. Staff were concerned about the risk that COVID-19 infection might spread among residents (67.6%) and that residents could not receive an acceptable service due to service reconfiguration because of the pandemic (50.3%). Residents found it very unpleasant not to be permitted to attend family members (85.3%), and not to be allowed to engage in outdoor activities due to the restrictions (84%). Both staff and residents agree that the main problematic areas for the residents was the interdiction to meet family members or friends and the interdiction to outdoor activities, whereas problems related to the COVID-19 infection were considered by the staff members as more frequently problematic than reported by residents. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the rehabilitation care and recovery journeys of the residents of psychiatric RFs. Therefore, sustained, and careful attention is needed to ensure that the rehabilitation needs of people with severe mental disorders are not neglected in time of pandemics.

Real-life functioning in women with schizophrenia living in residential facilities: Gender-based comparison.

Despite many patients with schizophrenia being able to achieve good functional outcomes, the number of patients with poor functional outcome estimates at over 25 percent. One of the wider constructs, reflecting functional outcomes in schizophrenia, is real-life functioning, whose key domains include ability to live relatively autonomously, productive activity and social interaction. Negative symptoms are seen among independent predictors of real-life functioning. As most researchers agree that schizophrenia is a disease with gender differences in terms of both clinical and functional outcomes, the goal of our observational study was to examine real-life functioning of women with schizophrenia, living in residential care facilities, and study the relationship between daily functioning and negative symptoms. Using the Standardized Protocol of Clinical Interview and observation for 1 or more weeks, we examined 46 females with schizophrenia, living in psychiatric residential facilities and compared them with 54 males with schizophrenia, living in the same facilities. In a pilot study 21 subjects with schizophrenia (13 females and 8 males), were evaluated by the Russian version of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS). To the results, more females with schizophrenia, compared to males with schizophrenia, remained active and took initiative in their physical care, vocational activities, involvement in cultural events, and maintained friendly relationships with other inmates. We have identified a group of inmates, in which females prevailed, with less pronounced negative symptoms and a higher level of social functioning, who did not need residential social care in the institutions. Limitations of residential social care in the institutions for psychiatric patients are discussed.

A long trip toward REMSs (Residenze per l’esecuzione delle misure di sicurezza): critical issues and perspectives in admitting patients to the Italian forensic psychiatric system

IntroductionREMSs (Residenze per l’Esecuzione delle Misure di Sicurezza, which roughly translates into Facilities for the execution of security measures) are psychiatric residential facilities introduced in Italy following the discontinuation of Forensic Psychiatric Hospitals, a process started between 2012 and 2014 and concluded in 2017. REMSs are forensic psychiatric communities, focusing on treatment and rehabilitation, managed exclusively by the italian NHS. They host psychiatric patients, who have committed crimes, but are not sended into the ordinary jail circuits because judged as mentally impaired and socially dangerous, with the aim that of stabilizing and treating psychiatric symptoms and that of their gradual social re-insertment. After the closure of psychiatric hospitals in 1978, the overcoming of forensic psychiatric hospitals is the big new thing happening in Italy when it comes to mental health. The introduction of REMSs has spotlighted how much is needed a care program used as a prevention tool, putting the mentally impaired with a social danger profile back into their dignity as human beings. Notwithstanding, after 10 years from its greenlight, some remarkable issues about REMSs system are at hand, starting from long waiting lists, which triggers the double risk of illegal jail detention of the mentally impaired; or leaving free without containment socially dangerous subjects.ObjectivesPurpose of the present study is to offer an overview of the italian REMSs system, focusing on its critical issues such as waiting lists to be admitted and treading prospects for improvement.MethodsOur work involves a research review on litterature on REMSs, forensic psychiatric services and admitting procedures.ResultsThere are 33 REMSs in Italy. As of 31st December 2021, 573 in-patients are hosted in REMSs. The most frequent diagnosis is schizophrenia (33%), followed by personality disorders (32%) and substance abuse (21.4%). 80% of the crimes committed involve violence towards human beings. As of 25th March 2022, the REMSs waiting lists include 605 individuals, 42 of whom were already imprisoned and 561 released. The average waiting time for admittance is about 10 months. Positioning on the waiting list follows the exclusive chronological criterion (date of sentence) and is not related to any clinical risk criteria whatsoever. It is estimated that one third of waiting patients remain without adequate care.ConclusionsRethinking the admittance criteria to REMSs is crucial. The use of alternative safety measures, the improvement of community mental health services and a real integration between both legal and heatlh systems in terms of management of the offending psychiatric patient are among ways suggested to avoid breaking the dream of deinstitutionalisation.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Assessing the outcome of admissions: Pilot study in a High Intensity Psychiatric Residential Facility

Background: The Italian health system related to mental disorders is currently experiencing a period of radical reforms. This process began in 1978 with the adoption of the law 180 which produced a radical reform in mental health care. The problems of the continuous confrontation with increasing levels of expenditure are reflected in the search for models to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system. Among these, the value creation model proposes to optimize the relationship between effectiveness, quality, and appropriateness of care on the one hand, and efficiency, cost and how resources are used on the other. The intervention involves redesigning services on the principles of recovery; implementing treatments supported by scientific evidence; encouraging processes of social inclusion. The proposed rehabilitation interventions are recovery oriented that place the person at the center of his rehabilitation path, motivating him in assuming responsibility for the treatment proposed during hospitalization. Objective: Evaluate the impact of the organisational reorganisation of the DSM S.R.R Regional Health Service of Ancona Area Vasta 2 by introducing evidence-based and recovery-oriented practices through the evaluation of clinical outcomes and psychosocial functioning. Methods: Longitudinal descriptive observational study with evaluation of a cohort of 13 patients, hospitalized in residential and semi-residential care at SRP1 “Casa Rossa” Area Vasta 2 of Ancona, by administration of a questionnaire (HoNOS) at the time of recruitment (February 2019), at 6 months (August 2019) and at 12 months (February 2020). The 12 items of the questionnaire were grouped into four subsets: behavioural problems (items 1-3), deficits and disabilities (items 4-5), psychopathological symptoms (items 6-8) and relational/environmental problems (items 9-12). Results: Survey results show a reduction in mean scores at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline in all subscales. Conclusions: Intensive mental health residential facilities need to put more effort into evaluating effectiveness in practice, using appropriate tools for outcome assessment and analysis of results. It is possible, in daily clinical practice, to evaluate the outcome of admissions in order to satisfactorily describe the changes induced during the period of hospitalization.

Psychometric properties of the Monitoring of the Path of Rehabilitation (MPR) Form.

The correct placement of people with mental disorders in psychiatric residential facilities (PRF) and the monitoring of their progress in these facilities is a critical issue that has not been fully settled in the Italian system. To overcome this problem, some validated instruments are used, which mostly assess the patient's functioning/disability, while no instruments have been set up to assess functional autonomy in patients with a psychiatric disorder residents in RFs. The Verona Department of Mental Health has created the Monitoring of the Path of Rehabilitation (MPR) Form with the aim of assessing the functional autonomy of patients to admit and monitor them adequately in their residential pathways. The aim of this study is to test the main psychometric properties of the MPR Form. The study of the psychometric properties of the MPR Form consisted of three steps: an evaluation conducted more than 15 days apart by two independent evaluators on 18 clinical cases to investigate the test-retest reliability; a test of the 18 clinical cases by the two evaluators to measure the inter-rater rieliability; a measure of convergent validity using the Personal and Social Functioning Scale. Eight professionals completed a satisfaction questionnaire regarding the acceptability of the MPR Form. Inter-rater and test-retest analyses were conducted using intraclass correlation coefficients. Convergent validity was investigated using Kendall's tau-b rank correlation coefficient and acceptability using a frequency analysis. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability were good, as well for concurrent validity and acceptability. The data presented in this article demonstrate that it is possible to measure the functional autonomy of patients in Italian SRPs using the MPR Form.

Psychological Health Status of Psychiatric Patients Living in Treatment Communities before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Brief Report.

Many studies investigated the psychological impact of lockdown measures on the general population, while few studies focused on the psychiatric population. This study aimed to investigate the role of therapeutic communities in the management and containment of symptoms of patients with psychosis living in psychiatric residential facilities. Data were collected at two different points: November 2019 (Coronavirus disease 19 had not yet spread) and April 2020 (during the lockdown in Italy). Twenty-two study participants were recruited from three residential accredited psychiatric facilities. During lockdown, the patients showed a small increase in symptomatology in terms of emotional isolation. In addition, it was been observed significant differences in certain functional areas of the behavior, measured as lower inclination towards violent behaviors during lockdown, and higher scores in substance abuse and medical impairment. The lockdown condition could represent a form of containment; daily routines, along with adequate social support, are important aspects of the stability and the level of behavioral functioning of psychiatric patients. Social support and continuity of care offered by psychiatric communities can be an effective safeguard against the psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Patients' Experience on a Supportive Group Therapy in an Italian Psychiatric Residential Facility During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Patients' Experience on a Supportive Group Therapy in an Italian Psychiatric Residential Facility During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Therapeutic Factors in a Psychiatric Group Therapy: a Preliminary Validation of Therapeutic Factors Inventory-8, Italian Version.

Several studies support group therapy effectiveness due to the activation in patients of unique psychological mechanisms defined as non-specific therapeutic factors (Therapeutic Factors-TFs), which shape the setting and, at the same time, enhance the specific group therapeutic factors. The objectives of this study were to preliminarly validate Therapeutic Factors Inventory-8 (TFI-8) Italian version and identify group therapeutic factors. In a psychiatric residential facility, a weekly psychotherapeutic group was evaluated during 1year. One scale on group process (TFI-8, Ferrara-Group Experience Scale) and three clinical scales (Brief Symptom Inventory-53, Sheehan Disability Scale, WHO Quality of Life-Bref) were administered to participating patients. Internal consistency, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), convergent validity of TFI-8 were assessed. Correlations between TFI-8 and other scale scores and selected variables were pwerformed. Our sample consisted of 64 participants. TFI-8 showed good internal consistency (Chronbach's alpha = 0.84), concurrent validity with Fe-GES (Rho = 0.42, p = 0.0008). EFA highlighted a single Factor, accounting for 92% of variance. TFI-8 was not significantly related to clinical scale scores. TFI-8 Italian version proved to be a valid and reliable tool which allowed us to identify one therapeutic factor indicating relational attraction in group therapy, composed of three dimensions: infusion of hope, cohesion and social learning.

Affective and Sexual Needs of Residents in Psychiatric Facilities: A Qualitative Approach

Background: The affective and sexual needs of psychiatric patients are often under-considered, although they contribute significantly to their general well-being. Such topics are critical for Residential Psychiatric Facilities Users (RPFUs), whose daily life is paced by therapeutic settings. The aim of this paper is to better understand how sexuality and affectivity are expressed by the RPFUs at the Mental Health Department of Modena, within psychiatric residential settings. Methods: Adult RPFUs took part into two audio recorded focus groups. Digital transcripts were analyzed using MAXQDA software in order to perform qualitative narrative analysis, so as to develop a hierarchical code system a posteriori (derived from the data). Results: Eleven participants (eight RPFUs and three investigators) attended the first focus group, and eight participants (5 RPFUs and 3 investigators) attended the second focus group. 175 interventions were analyzed and coded under seven thematic areas: (a) contraception and sexually transmitted disease prevention (N = 17); (b) affective needs (N = 11); (c) personal experiences (N = 61); (d) regulation of sexual relations (N = 18); (e) Mental Health Professionals’ (MHPs) openness towards the topic (N = 17); (f) MHPs’ responses to RPFUs’ sexual behaviors (N = 33); and (g) RPFUs proposals (N = 18). The highlighted topics suggest that affective and sexual relations commonly occur within residential psychiatric facilities, even if mental health services often fail to recognize and address RPFUs’ affective and sexual needs as well as to provide effective solutions to manage them. Conclusions: RPFUs expressed a request for support to fulfill their affective and sexual needs and dedicated spaces for sexual activities to relieve their discomfort, while MHPs highlighted a need for awareness, training, and shared problem-solving strategies.

Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Within a Psychiatric Hospital and Considerations for Limiting Transmission Within Residential Psychiatric Facilities - Wyoming, 2020.

In the United States, approximately 180,000 patients receive mental health services each day at approximately 4,000 inpatient and residential psychiatric facilities (1). SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can spread rapidly within congregate residential settings (2-4), including psychiatric facilities. On April 13, 2020, two patients were transferred to Wyoming's state psychiatric hospital from a private psychiatric hospital that had confirmed COVID-19 cases among its residents and staff members (5). Although both patients were asymptomatic at the time of transfer and one had a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 at the originating facility, they were both isolated and received testing upon arrival at the state facility. On April 16, 2020, the test results indicated that both patients had SARS-CoV-2 infection. In response, the state hospital implemented expanded COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures (e.g., enhanced screening, testing, and management of new patient admissions) and adapted some standard IPC measures to facilitate implementation within the psychiatric patient population (e.g., use of modified face coverings). To assess the likely effectiveness of these procedures and determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence among patients and health care personnel (HCP) (6) at the state hospital, a point prevalence survey was conducted. On May 1, 2020, 18 days after the patients' arrival, 46 (61%) of 76 patients and 171 (61%) of 282 HCP had nasopharyngeal swabs collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. All patients and HCP who received testing had negative test results, suggesting that the hospital's expanded IPC strategies might have been effective in preventing the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection within the facility. In congregate residential settings, prompt identification of COVID-19 cases and application of strong IPC procedures are critical to ensuring the protection of other patients and staff members. Although standard guidance exists for other congregate facilities (7) and for HCP in general (8), modifications and nonstandard solutions might be needed to account for the specific needs of psychiatric facilities, their patients, and staff members.

The Influence of Youth Gender and Complex Trauma on the Relation Between Treatment Conditions and Outcomes in Therapeutic Residential Care.

Complex trauma (CT) is the experience, or witness, of prolonged abuse or neglect that negatively affects children's emotional and psychological health. Youth in residential care experience higher incidences of complex trauma than youth in community-based care, with notable gender differences and presentation of psychological symptoms. This study examined the effects of trauma-informed residential care and the relation between CT and gender. A sample (n = 206) from an evaluation of a youth psychiatric residential facility in the Midwest that transitioned from a traditional care model to a trauma-informed care model was used. A hierarchical regression was used to model the main effects of model of care, gender, CT, length of stay, and crisis response on treatment outcomes; and the moderating effects of gender and CT. The results support the high prevalence of CT in residential care populations. The final model explained 30.2% of the variance with a statistically significant interaction between gender and length of stay in treatment, indicating that longer lengths of stay in treatment are associated with less change in functional impairment for girls than boys. Youth gender and prior trauma are important factors to consider when monitoring experiences and treatment outcomes in youth residential care.

What drives changes in institutionalised mental health care? A qualitative study of the perspectives of professional experts

BackgroundSince 1990, the provision of mental healthcare has changed substantially across Western Europe. There are fewer psychiatric hospital beds and more places in forensic psychiatric hospitals and residential facilities. However, little research has investigated the drivers behind these changes. This study explored qualitatively the perspectives of mental health professional experts on what has driven the changes in Western Europe.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-four mental health experts in England, Germany and Italy, who as professionals had personal experiences of the changes in their country. Interviewees were asked about drivers of changes in institutionalised mental health care from 1990 to 2010. The accounts were subjected to a thematic analysis.ResultsFour broad themes were revealed: the overall philosophy of de-institutionalisation, with the aim to overcome old-fashioned asylum style care; finances, with a pressure to limit expenditure and an interest of provider organisations to increase income; limitations of community mental health care in which most severely ill patients may be neglected; and emphasis on risk containment so that patients posing a risk may be cared for in institutions. Whilst all themes were mentioned in all three countries, there were also differences in emphasis and detail.ConclusionsDistinct factors appear to have influenced changes in mental health care. Their precise influence may vary from country to country, and they have to be considered in the context of each country. The drivers may be influenced by professional groups to some extent, but also depend on the overall interest and attitudes in the society at large.

Development and Validation of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales-Residential Facility (HoNOS-RF).

The Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) (Lora et al. Epidemiol Psichiatr Soc 10(3):198-212, 2001) is widely used. However, clinicians have expressed concerns about its ability to describe severe mentally ill patients, as it does not consider some relevant clinical aspects. This study aims to develop and validate the HoNOS-Residential Facility (HoNOS-RF) in order to pursue a thorough assessment of patients admitted to psychiatric residential facilities (RFs). The final version of the HoNOS-RF was administered to 409 patients admitted to four RFs. Exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach' alpha (α), Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were used to assess construct validity, internal consistency and reliability, respectively. Concurrent criterion validity was assessed through correlations with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Expanded Version (BPRS-E) (Roncone et al. Acta Psychiatric Scand 100(3):229-36, 1999), Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) (Morosini et al. Acta Psychiatric Scand 101(4): 323-29, 2000), and comparisons across diagnostic groups. The final version of the HoNOS-RF consisted of 31 items, grouped into the following eight factors (overall explaining 55% of the total variability): personal and interpersonal functioning; environment; behavior and burden of care; cognitive function; somatic problems; anxiety-depression symptoms; psychotic symptoms; and other psychiatric symptoms. The scale showed high internal consistency (α = .807), and the correlations with PSP and BPRS-E ranged from adequate to moderate. The ICCs were in the excellent range for almost all items. These findings support the validity and the reliability of the HoNOS-RF, thus it may be a useful tool for the assessment of patients admitted to RFs, as it addresses clinical aspects that were mostly not included in the original version.

A residential psychiatric approach for forensic patients: The experience of “Tiziano” facility

IntroductionItalian forensic mental hospitals closed on March 31st, 2014 and offenders sentenced to need a psychiatric care are restrained in facilities. Since 2002, the residential psychiatric facility “Tiziano” (Aulla, Massa-Carrara) hosts forensic patients, on appointment with national health system and compulsorily admitted by the justice system.MethodsThis descriptional and prospective study provides a thorough report on the main epidemiological, clinical, and criminological features of 60 mentally ill offenders hosted in the “Tiziano” facility between 2002 and June 2016.ResultsMost forensic patients were male (90%, n = 54; average age: 33 years). Sixty percent of subjects (n = 36) had a clinical diagnosis of psychosis (19.4% affective psychosis, 72.2% non-affective psychosis, 8.4% organic psychosis), and about one third of them (31.6%, n = 19) had a personality disorder (63.1%, n = 12, antisocial personality disorder, 42.1%, n = 8, borderline personality disorder, 21.0%, n = 4 other personality disorders). Mental insufficiency was diagnosed in 11.6% (n = 7) of subjects, while substance use disorder affected 35.0% (n = 21) and alcohol use disorder 26.6% (n = 16). Forty-nine patients (81.7%) had committed serious crimes against people; 15% (n = 9) were murderers or attempted murderers, and 46.7% (n = 28) had committed more crimes. The average length of stay is 22 months.ConclusionsTo date, there are no data about long-term follow-up and clinical outcome of mentally ill offenders restrained in Italian psychiatric facilities. Additional studies are needed to assess psychopathology and differentiate treatment according to diagnosis, and to identify risk factors of relapse for criminal behavior relapse.

Sexual harassment in care work – Dilemmas and consequences: A qualitative investigation

BackgroundCare workers are often exposed to sexual harassment from patients. Research shows that such exposure may have detrimental effects on mental health of the care workers. Inappropriate sexual behaviour from patients is a particular challenge for formal and informal care workers alike. There is a scarceness of studies investigating the experience and the handling of sexual harassment from patients. ObjectivesTo investigate the experience and handling of sexual harassment from patients in care work. DesignThe study follows an explorative qualitative approach based on group interviews (n=19) with 39 care workers. SettingsTen workplaces participated in the study, including hospitals, nursing homes, community health centres, rehabilitations care centres, and psychiatric residential facilities. ParticipantsWe conducted group interviews with care workers (employees), managers, shop stewards and/or safety representatives. The majority of the interviewees were trained nurses. ResultsThe interviews revealed that sexual harassment is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. The care workers often separated between intentional and unintentional behaviours initiated by cognitively impaired patients. Thus, they often refrain from using the term harassment, because it implies that the actions were intentional. However, the interviews revealed that, in practice, this separation was very difficult, and that sexual harassment often creates a range of dilemmas in the daily work. At the same time, sexual harassment is a taboo. The managers, shop stewards and safety representatives in this study were often not aware of the frequency and the impact of the episodes had on the care workers. The workplaces participating in this study, rarely had guidelines or policies for managing and/or preventing sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behaviours, but often responded to episodes in an ad hoc and case-by-case manner. ConclusionThe term sexual harassment might not be appropriate in the context of care work, because many patients who display inappropriate behaviours are cognitively impaired. While the interviews revealed that there is no universally accepted term, it might be more prudent to avoid the term harassment and refer it to as sexual behaviours. Considering the demographic development with a rising number of elderly and the increase in various forms of dementia, the management of inappropriate sexual behaviour by patients will be even more pressing in the future. It is time to address the prevention of sexual harassment and the management of patients’ sexuality as an explicit part of the professional organisational culture of care work.

An evidence-based program for enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration to promote spiritual care in an adolescent psychiatric residential facility

Spirituality is an essential component of any healthcare assessment and plan, yet it is not clear how to best integrate spirituality in an interprofessional practice. Bronstein’s Model for Interdisciplinary Collaboration served as a guide to address this problem and to design a quality improvement project for and provision of spiritual care to adolescents was facilitated in a local residential psychiatric facility. Professional staff members of the Interprofessional treatment teams (IPTT) were invited to participate in educational programming that was based on textbook reviews, interviews with a nursing curriculum designer and residential chaplain, and surveys of IPTT member baseline knowledge of the relationship between spirituality and mental health. Eighteen participants took both the pre-test and post-test survey. A two-tailed Wilcoxon signed ranks test was run on the scores of those who took both tests, revealing there was a significant difference between the scores ( p = .002), indicating an increase in general knowledge regarding matters of spirituality and its relationship to mental health. Finally, a process and structural evaluation of the discussion meetings revealed content of these meetings was generally helpful and positively contributed to the knowledge and skillsets of interprofessional treatment team members in recognizing spiritual distress and meeting spiritual needs. The role of pastoral care was affirmed and even celebrated by members of the interprofessional treatment team.

Feasibility and effectiveness of a combined individual and psychoeducational group intervention in psychiatric residential facilities: A controlled, non-randomized study

This controlled, non-randomized study explored the feasibility of introducing a Combined Individual and Group Intervention (CIGI) for users with mental disorders in residential facilities, and tested whether users who received the CIGI had better functioning than users who received the Treatment-As-Usual (TAU), at two-year follow up. In the CIGI, a structured cognitivebehavioral approach called VADO (in English, Skills Assessment and Definition of Goals) was used to set specific goals with each user, while Falloon's psychoeducational treatment was applied with the users as a group. Thirty-one professionals attended a training course in CIGI, open to users' voluntary participation, and applied it for two years with all users living in 8 residential facilities of the Mental Health Department of Modena, Italy. In the same department, 5 other residential facilities providing TAU were used as controls. ANOVA for repeated measures showed a significant interaction effect between users' functioning at baseline and follow up assessments, and the intervention. In particular, change in global functioning was higher in the 55 CIGI users than in the 44 TAU users. These results suggest that CIGI can be successfully introduced in residential facilities and may be useful to improve functioning in users with severe mental disorders.

Violent behavior of patients living in psychiatric residential facilities: A comparison of male patients with different violence histories

People with severe mental disorders and a history of violence are often seen as a difficult-to-manage segment of the population. In addition, this group is usually characterized by a high risk of crime recidivism, and poor compliance with community and aftercare programs.To investigate a sample of male patients living in Residential Facilities (RFs) with a history of violent behavior against people and to compare their characteristics with those of never-violent residents; to analyze the associations between aggressive behaviors in the last two years and a history of previous violence; and, to assess the predictors of aggressive behaviors.This study is part of a prospective observational cohort study which involved 23 RFs in Northern Italy. A comprehensive set of sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related information was gathered, and standardized assessments were administered to each participant. Also a detailed assessment of aggressive behaviors in the past two years was carried out.The study involved 268 males: 81 violent and 187 never-violent. Compared to never-violent patients, violent patients were younger, with a higher proportion of personality disorders, and have displayed an increased number of aggressive behaviors in the last two years. The presence of a history of violent behavior in the past significantly increases the probability of committing aggressive acts in the future.