Stressed Spaces: Mental Health and Architecture. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Connellan, Kathleen; Gaardboe, Mads; Riggs, Damien; Due, Clemence; Reinschmidt, Amanda; Mustillo, Lauren
• Is Part Of: HERD. Volume 6:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 168
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Evidence-based design -- hospital -- interdisciplinary -- literature review -- post-occupancy; Health facilities -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Design and construction; Medical care; Periodicals; 725.5
• DOI: 10.1177/193758671300600408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-5867

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To present a comprehensive review of the research literature on the effects of the architectural designs of mental health facilities on the users. BACKGROUND: Using a team of cross-disciplinary researchers, this review builds upon previous reviews on general and geriatric healthcare design in order to focus on research undertaken for mental health care facility design. METHODS: Sources were gathered in 2010 and 2011. In 2010 a broad search was undertaken across health and architecture; in 2011, using keywords and 13 databases, researchers conducted a systematic search of peer reviewed literature addressing mental health care and architectural design published between 2005 to 2012, as well as a systematic search for academic theses for the period 2000 to 2012. Recurrent themes and subthemes were identified and numerical data that emerged from quantitative studies was tabulated. RESULTS: Key themes that emerged were nursing stations, light, therapeutic milieu, security, privacy, designing for the adolescent, forensic facilities, interior detail, patients' rooms, art, dementia, model of care, gardens, post-occupancy evaluation, and user engagement in design process. Of the 165 articles (including conference proceedings, books, and theses), 25 contained numerical data from empirical studies and 7 were review articles. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the review results, especially the growing evidence of the benefits of therapeutic design on patient and staff well-being and client length of stay, additional research questions are suggested concerning optimal design considerations, designs to be avoided, and the involvement of major stakeholders in the design process.