Im. Evans et Nl. Moltzen, Defining effective community support for long-term psychiatric patients according to behavioural principles, AUST NZ J P, 34(4), 2000, pp. 637-644
Objective: The purpose of this article is to define the characteristics of
effective support in community mental health settings for patients with ser
ious and persistent mental illness.
Method: A broad literature providing empirical evidence on competent caregi
ver behaviours and styles is selectively reviewed. Relevant findings from f
amily caregiver research and studies of social environments that enhance sk
ill development in people with intellectual disabilities are incorporated,
within a cognitive-behavioural framework.
Results: Six important domains are identified which represent positive care
giver styles: acceptance, creating a positive atmosphere, expectations of c
hange, responsiveness, normalisation and educativeness.
Conclusion: The characteristics hypothesised to be critical for caregivers
and support workers are defined in a general way that can allow for individ
ualisation according to the goals of the programs and the cultural prioriti
es of staff and patients. Further empirical validation of these characteris
tics would enable community mental health services to provide more speciali
sed clinical treatments.