Changes in future time perception of day hospital psychiatric patients in response to small group treatment approaches

Abstract

Attempted to assess the effects of small group approaches on future time perception of psychiatric patients in a day hospital. The research employed two patient groups within the day hospital: A control group, (N = 12) which received routine day hospital treatment, and an experimental group, (N = 12) which received, in addition, the small group treatment. Measures of future time perception were administered to both groups before and after a 12-week treatment. Results indicated significant positive changes in response to group treatment on Future Events and the dimension of Importance. However, no positive significant differences were found on Time Extension, Directionality, and Quality of Affect. While it is not within the scope of this research to evaluate whether the secured change can be maintained, it was clear that in immediate posttesting important changes had resulted from the treatment strategy.