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Evaluating the environments of residential care settings

Rudolf H. Moos (Based in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA)

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities

ISSN: 0964-1866

Article publication date: 24 September 2012

295

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review some research on the environmental characteristics of residential care settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's approach is an integrative overview and formulation of a conceptual framework to understand and measure the key environmental domains of residential care programs.

Findings

The five major domains that comprise the characteristics of residential program are the institutional context, physical and architectural features, policies and services, aggregate resident and staff characteristics, and the social climate. The multiphasic environmental assessment procedure (MEAP), which systematically assesses these domains, shows that, for example, programs with better physical features tend to have better policy and program characteristics, more functionally able residents, more varied and experienced staff, and a more cohesive social climate.

Practical implications

The conceptual framework and assessment procedures can be used to provide useful information to help prospective residents and staff select appropriate residential care settings, to identify characteristics of settings most amenable to change, decide what changes would benefit residents and staff, and, by providing systematic feedback, help guide program improvement; and identify environmental features most closely associated with residents' quality of life and functional maintenance or improvement.

Originality/value

The paper presents a unique and innovative conceptualization of the environmental domains of residential care settings, along with a validated procedure to measure these domains.

Keywords

Citation

Moos, R.H. (2012), "Evaluating the environments of residential care settings", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 33 No. 2/3, pp. 76-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/09641861211291559

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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