Organizational Factors and Perceptions of Climate in Three Psychiatric Units

The relationships of perceived organizational structure, leader behaviors, and communication processes with perceptions of the work environment and ward atmosphere by staff in three psychiatric units were assessed. Satisfaction with communication and participation in decision making emerged as the most consistent correlates of staff views about their work environment, while dimensions of ward atmosphere were most frequently related to satisfaction with communication. Patient scores on the ward atmosphere scales were most closely associated with staff receptiveness and interest, along with patient involvement in decisions and satisfaction with the degree of patient-staff communication. These findings highlight the salience of organizational climate variables and illustrate the utility of ward atmosphere and work environment perceptions as components of a multi-dimensional climate construct.