Influence of social motives of clients and staff on the social climate of secure settings

Abstract

The social climate of secure settings plays a critical role in correctional rehabilitation, yet little is known about how interpersonal dynamics between clients and staff shape these environments. This study investigated the influence of interpersonal motives on perceptions of social climate in correctional facilities and forensic psychiatric hospitals in Switzerland. Interpersonal motives are preferences for certain interpersonal outcomes or modes of reactions along the dimensions of dominance and affiliation. Data were collected from 442 participants (369 clients, 73 staff) across six institutions using validated self-report and observer-rated measures. Multilevel modeling was used to assess individual and institutional-level predictors of three key social climate dimensions: Experienced Safety, Resident Cohesion, and Therapeutic Hold. For clients, higher levels of affiliative motives, both self-reported and perceived in staff, consistently predicted more positive perceptions of the social climate across all dimensions. In contrast, dominance-related motives showed no significant associations. Staff members' perceptions of social climate were more strongly shaped by institutional context, though perceiving clients as affiliative was linked to higher ratings of Resident Cohesion and the social climate overall. Individual affiliative motives also predicted stronger perceptions of Therapeutic Hold among staff. These findings underscore the relevance of everyday relational dynamics—particularly affiliative behaviors—in promoting safe, cohesive, and rehabilitative environments. The study highlights the reciprocal nature of staff-client relationships and the need to train and support frontline staff in cultivating prosocial, compassionate interactions. Understanding how interpersonal motives shape climate perceptions provides valuable insights for improving correctional outcomes and working conditions in secure settings.