No abstract

Exercise, attitudes, motivation and behaviour were compared in groups of female anorexic patients and groups of males and females without eating disorders. The anorexic group were significantly more hyperactive, exercised more frequently and engaged in a wider variety of exercise behaviours. They were also more likely to exercise in secret and were more compulsive about exercising. They displayed a 'negative addiction' to exercise, and gave control of their negative mood states as their major reason for undertaking it. The theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed.

The relative ability of staff and patients' peers to predict outcome at one year post-treatment for 54 problem drinkers was examined. In contrast to peers, staff were able accurately to predict drinking status and were more accurate predictors of psychological distress. Both groups were accurate predictors of future family and social support. Predictors of drinking status included the perception that the patient had significant ongoing problems and the estimated likelihood that the patient would carry out their discharge plans. Accurate predictors of drinking status tended to be more senior and experienced staff. No individual problem drinker was an accurate predictor of his or her peers' future drinking status. Ways of improving the accuracy of clinical judgements and the possibility of both positive and negative consequences of accurate prediction are discussed.

This study reports on a comparison between a single ward and a two-ward system of acute in-patient care in a general hospital psychiatric unit. It looked at job satisfaction, levels of stress, absenteeism/sickness and work proficiency amongst the staff and also at patients' level of disturbed behaviour, length of stay and re-admission rates. It was found that a continuous-care ward was associated with a lower level of behavioural disturbance and was preferred by the majority of staff, with some increase in job satisfaction and a decrease in stress. The continuous-care ward was also associated with shorter admissions. However, those who progressed through a two-ward system were less likely to be re-admitted within 3 months. The implications of these results are discussed.