An evaluation of Threshold therapeutic communities in Northern Ireland

Abstract

AbstractObjective: To measure the effects of providing a therapeutic community environment for patients suffering from severe mental illness.Method: 35 patients who remained in a therapeutic community environment for a minimum of 18 months were administered three instruments which measured psychiatric symptomatology (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale), intrapsychic and interpersonal functioning (Therapeutic Community Questionnaire) and overall psychiatric and psychological functioning (Global Assessment Scale). Assessments were carried out at zero and 18 months.Results: The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale revealed significant positive changes on the two items of blunted affect and un-cooperativeness while the global assessment scale revealed that patients significantly improved after 18 months.Conclusion: Patients who remained in a therapeutic community environment for 18 months demonstrated benefits on three particular variables. While no causative link can be proposed in this study, it does seem that this environment does improve the functioning of severely mentally ill patients.