Walt A P, Gillis L S
J Clin Psychol. 1979 Apr;35(2):410-4. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(197904)35:2<410::aid-jclp2270350237>3.0.co;2-5.
Investigated attitudes of nursing staff to their patients and their treatment, using the Ellsworth Attitude Scale and three opinion statements derived from a preliminary attitude survey. Those who were most pessimistic about the extent to which patients were able to participate in treatment tended to be of lower rank and training and also scored high on the attitude of Restrictive Control and low on that of Accountability. Those who were pessimistic about the therapeutic efficacy of the hospital tended to be younger and scored higher on Protective Benevolence and lower on Accountability attitudes. Those who scored high on Authoritarianism were of significantly lower rank and training, and the opposite obtained for those who scored high on Accountability. It is suggested that the attitude of Protective Benevolence is closer to Restrictive Control than to Accountability and that this attitude should not be considered a move toward enlightened thinking; furthermore, that the prevalence of custodial and pessimistic views among the lower ranking and younger nursing staff may be due to lack of opportunity for and support in taking therapeutic responsibility.
