Attitudinal changes associated with two approaches to training mental health technicians in milieu and social-learning programs

• Published in: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 1974-02, Vol.42 (1), p.21-33
• Main Authors: Paul, Gordon L, McInnis, Titus L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achievement; Adult; Allied Health Personnel - education; Attitude; Attitude Change; Clinical Methods Training; Female; Human; Humans; Inservice Training; Male; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental Health Inservice Training; Psychotherapy - education; Social Learning; Teaching
• ISSN: 0022-006X; 1939-2117
• DOI: 10.1037/h0036041

Gave 2 groups of nonprofessional trainees (n = 21) from a high-unemployment area specific job-related training in behavioral principles and procedures of both milieu and social-learning treatment programs for chronic mental patients. Group 1 received sequential training with professional staff 1st conducting classroom instruction, followed by on-the-job training. Group 2 received abbreviated classroom instruction by professional staff, integrated with clinical observation with experienced technicians. Demographic and personality assessment occurred before training, attitudinal assessment on modified versions of the Opinions about Mental Illness Scale and Paul's Therapist Orientation Sheet was obtained before and after the academic portion of training, and an academic test was obtained after academic training. The sequential-professional mode of training resulted in better academic performance. Attitudinal changes were associated with behavior-specific training, and differential patterns of change were found for the 2 approaches. Trainee attitudes tended toward those of instructors, and attitudinal similarity was related to academic performance. Comparisons with attitudes of other occupational groups indicated that the present nonprofessional trainees after training were unique but more similar to professionals than to nonprofessionals studied elsewhere. (22 ref)