| Statement of the Problem. This research objectively evaluates the treatment environment at Rivendell, an alternative juvenile justice and mental health program, utilizing the Community Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES (Moos, 1974)). It compares client and staff perceptions of the milieu over a three-month interval, and compares these scores with those of a national normative sample. The objective is to identify those aspects of the perceived environment which are unique to a family-oriented treatment milieu.;Results. Generally, there were few significant differences (at the .05 level) between clients and staff, although client scores were higher than staff scores on two scales on the first test and one scale on the second test; clients apparently perceived greater Order and Organization in the program than the staff and perceived greater Staff Control; the staff scores were much closer on the two tests than the client scores; client scores were more variable; and three sub-scales (Anger and Aggression, Personal Problem Orientation and Involvement) were found to be significantly higher than the American Norm.;During the time of the study, Rivendell went through a major reorganization which could be viewed as a near-collapse of the community. At the end, only 6 of the 14 clients were still resident in the community.;Discussion pointed out that the COPES results were generally consistent with expectations, especially given the nature of the organizational changes happening in Rivendell at the time of the study. The three unexpectedly high sub-scale scores were interpreted to be consistent with a family-oriented treatment milieu, which Rivendell continues to be despite the changes occurring within it. The comparatively low Order and Organization score was seen to be consistent both with a family-oriented treatment milieu, and with the disorganization occurring during the time of the study. Seven out of ten predictions of COPES sub-scale scores based upon interpretation of staff-written descriptive materials were confirmed, thus lending support to a positive evaluation of Rivendell's program. At the same time, the paradox of the essential collapse of an apparently successful organization was noted.;Methods. The 40-item Short Form of the COPES was administered to the 14 clients and 26 staff who made up the total population of the Rivendell community during the period of December 15, 1979 to March 15, 1980. Within and between groups mean comparisons were made utilizing the sign-test, Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-ranks test, and the Mann-Whitney U test.;Conclusions. In conclusion, this study shows: (1) The importance of support, involvement, personal problem orientation, and opportunities for the expression of anger and aggression in a family-oriented treatment milieu. These appear to be essential elements in the strength of a family-oriented approach, providing clients with maximum opportunity for the development of positive attitudes toward self and others. (2) That something in this same sort of treatment environment may be the source of potential instability for the organization, possibly the same relational aspects. The highly personalized and spontaneous orientation of the family-oriented milieu may simply reduce organizational control to a point of potential disintegration which can be triggered by a variety of internal or external crises.;It is hoped that further experience and research on the topic may help family-oriented treatment milieus enhance the strengths of their unique approach while avoiding some of the pitfalls that became evident during the course of this study. |
