A comparison of a milieu-based Behavioural Activation Communication with treatment as usual for acute psychiatric inpatients. (27th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gollan, Jackie K.; Hoxha, Denada; Hanson, Bjorn; Perkins, Evelyn; Slade, Maureen; Roberts, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric intensive care. Volume 10:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2013-11-27
• Subjects: Behavioural Activation Communication, -- inpatient psychiatry, -- treatment engagement approach, -- positive affect; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Intensive care units -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.21
• DOI: 10.1017/S1742646413000307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6464

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: Patient emotion, behaviour, and symptoms may explain avoidance of the daily programming on an acute psychiatric inpatient treatment milieu. We compared changes of emotion, behaviour, and symptoms among acutely ill psychiatric inpatients assigned to Behavioural Activation Communication (BAC), a newly designed milieu program, and those assigned to a unit representing treatment as usual (TAU). Method: Participants included 144 adult inpatients treated between January 2011 and July 2011 at two similar psychiatric units at a medical centre. Psychiatric patients were assigned to either the BAC or the TAU unit based bed availability. At admission and discharge, patients completed the Brief Symptom Inventory, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, and the Checklist of Unit Behaviors. Results: A comparison of BAC and TAU patients showed greater relative change on positive affect and of behavioural activation with the daily programming. Conclusion: The BAC program is associated with a significant increase of positive emotion and activation of inpatients.