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The EssenCES measure of social climate: A preliminary validation and normative data in UK high secure hospital settings
Author(s) -
Howells Kevin,
Tonkin Matthew,
Milburn Christine,
Lewis Jessica,
Draycot Simon,
Cordwell John,
Price Miranda,
Davies Steffan,
Schalast Norbert
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
criminal behaviour and mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1471-2857
pISSN - 0957-9664
DOI - 10.1002/cbm.745
Subject(s) - normative , schema (genetic algorithms) , psychology , unavailability , internal consistency , cohesion (chemistry) , applied psychology , clinical psychology , psychometrics , computer science , statistics , political science , mathematics , chemistry , organic chemistry , machine learning , law
Background The social climate of forensic units is important but little investigated, in part because of the unavailability of a clinically practical and statistically sound measure. Aims To provide preliminary psychometric and normative data for the English version of the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) in UK high‐security hospital settings. Method A total of 324 staff and patients from three high‐security hospital services completed the EssenCES, and a subgroup completed a range of other questionnaires related to therapeutic milieu and working environment (GMI, WAAM, WES‐10). Results The original three‐factor structure and satisfactory internal consistency were retained. The pattern of correlations between the EssenCES scales and other climate‐related variables support the construct validity of the EssenCES measure, with the exception of the Patient Cohesion subscale. Conclusions Although preliminary, these data suggest that the English version of EssenCES may be a valid tool for assessing the social climate of high secure hospital settings in the UK, but a larger research study is required, covering a wider range of psychiatric disorders, types of service and levels of security. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.