OBJECTIVE: The present study, which falls back on data collected within an extensive evaluation of indoor psychiatric ergotherapy, aims at the investigation of the interaction between patients' satisfaction and patients' characteristics, duration of treatment, and patients' assessments of specific single treatment aspects.

METHODS: Fifty-eight inpatients assigned to three ergotherapeutic treatment programs were included into study. Assessments included--among others--a German version of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire as well as a 74-items questionnaire on specific treatment aspects, such as perceived support, perceived practical orientation, and perceived personal problem orientation.

RESULTS: As expected, a high level of satisfaction with treatment was reported. Patients' satisfaction is correlated with some variables under study, such as patients' subjective well-being and patients' assessments of psychosocial and professional treatment aspects.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that--for the purpose of high patient satisfaction--ergotherapeutic treatment programs should distinguish themselves by supportive therapists, practical orientation, and personal problem orientation.