Date of Award

Fall 1989

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

Barbara A. Winstead

Committee Member

Raymond H. Kirby

Committee Member

Valerian J. Derlega

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65N45

Abstract

During the past decade patient satisfaction with mental health treatment has become an important issue in research. Administration of patient satisfaction surveys has become a standard practice in treatment and therapy in order to evaluate and improve treatment programs and services. This study examined patient satisfaction in inpatient psychiatric hospitalization based on two social exchange theories. These theories are Kelley and Thibaut's (1978} interdependence theory and Rusbult's (1980) investment model. Fifty inpatients at a state psychiatric facility were given a questionnaire designed to assess satisfaction and commitment based on costs, rewards, investments, comparison level, and comparison level for alternatives. Reliabilities for each of these factors were performed and were found to range from .62 to .91. Pearson Product Moment Correlations between all factors revealed one significant correlation between age and comparison level of alternatives. Finally, a multiple stepwise regression was performed on these measures. Two factors, comparison level and rewards, were found to significantly predict satisfaction. Investment was the one factor found to significantly predict commitment. Two factors, cost and comparison level, were found to significantly predict level of distress regarding hospitalization. The results of this study demonstrate that applying social exchange theory and the investment model designed to explain interpersonal relationships is also useful in understanding this type of therapeutic relationship.

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