The effects of hospital closure on mental health workers: An overview of employment, mental and physical health, and attitudinal outcomes

This article examines the physical, psychological, and attitudinal impact o f the closure of Central State Hospital (CSH) on its former employees. Eigh ty-five former CSH employees were interviewed at two points in time, preclo sure and postclosure. Data on the psychological and physical health and emp loyment attitudes of workers were collected prior to and eight months after organizational closure. Over time, workers had more positive attitudes abo ut the hospital closure as well as reporting less depression, less work str ess, and use of more coping strategies at postclosure. However at postclosu re, they also reported increased work conflict, lower income, and a more pe ssimistic outlook toward their future. Implications for hospital closure ar e discussed.