The study of the impact of deinstitutionalization on a Psychiatric Hospital staff's perceptions regarding the sources of conflict at work, the presence of injustice, and their job satisfaction.

A questionnaire specially made for the purpose of this study was anonymously completed by the working staff two years before and two years after the closing of the chronic wards of their hospital.

The staff felt that there are more conflicts between nursing staff and patients as well as between colleagues themselves. The lack of staff was the greatest cause for conflict reported [t(346) =2.735, p<0.01], as was before the deinstitutionalization, while female gender, younger age [r=−0.117] and closer contact with patients were correlated with perception of more conflicts. The opinions about justice in the work environment were not significantly influenced by the deinstitutionalization, but by younger age [r = 0.150] and the female gender, as well. Finally, the staff reported higher levels of general satisfaction from their work [t(343) = 2.923, p<0.01] and especially that they felt safer in their new workplaces, than in the chronic wards of their hospital [t(349) = 1.976, p<0.05]. This effect was independent of gender, age or job type [F(5, 231) = 2.361, p<0.05].

This follow-up study verifies the previously found effects of the staff's demographic characteristics on perceptions of conflicts, justice and job satisfaction. The relocation of patients to community-based psychiatric facilities, which are smaller, with less staff and more responsibilities has created more opportunities for conflict; nevertheless has considerably increased the staff's job satisfaction.