Abstract

This exploratory study examines inter-organizational communication patterns and information sharing between probation officers and service providers when coordinating services for people with mental illnesses on probation. Thirty-four probation officers from one rural (n = 12) and one urban (n = 22) county completed a researcher-administered questionnaire pertaining to the size of probation officers’ service provider networks and the frequency and nature of contacts with those networks. Egocentric network analysis and bivariate inferential statistics were used to examine direct relational ties between each officer and the service providers within their communities. Probation officers in both counties reported high frequency of contact with service providers and indicated that service providers and officers were more likely to share information if reciprocated by their dyad counterpart. Probation agencies may consider enhancing probation officers’ service provider networks and fostering reciprocal and mutually-beneficial relationships to ensure timely access to services for adults with mental illnesses who are on probation.

摘要

这项探索性研究检查了在为缓刑期精神病患者协调服务时，缓刑官员和服务提供者之间的组织间沟通模式和信息共享。来自 1 个农村（n  = 12）和 1 个城市（n = 22) 县完成了一份由研究人员管理的问卷，该问卷涉及缓刑官员服务提供者网络的规模以及与这些网络联系的频率和性质。以自我为中心的网络分析和双变量推论统计被用来检查每个官员与其社区内的服务提供者之间的直接关系。两个县的缓刑官员都报告说与服务提供者的联系频率很高，并表示如果得到他们的二元对等方的回报，服务提供者和官员更有可能分享信息。缓刑机构可考虑加强缓刑官员的服务提供者网络，促进互惠互利的关系，以确保处于缓刑期的患有精神疾病的成年人及时获得服务。