Title

Severity of social impairments as distinguishing factors for inpatient admissions among persons with schizophrenia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Abstract

Inpatient admissions are common among persons with schizophrenia and are associated with financial burdens to society, loss of freedom, and increased stigma. However, inpatient admission decisions by mental health professionals are typically based on presenting psychotic symptoms and current danger to self or others. This study examined whether specific social impairments identifiable by mental health professionals differentiated acute inpatient versus stable outpatient persons with schizophrenia. Participants (100 from a stable case management population, 113 from an inpatient psychiatric facility) were assessed for various social impairments in order to test whether behavioral factors beyond psychiatric symptoms predicted inpatient admissions. A discriminant analysis revealed that recent family relationship problems, interpersonal skill problems, socio-legal problems, self-care deficits, and lower age accurately distinguished inpatientpersons from those in a stable case management population. Social symptoms identifiable by mental health professionals can therefore help predict the need for impatient admissions among persons with schizophrenia. Implications for psychotherapists are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

Publication Title

Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association

Issue

13

First Page

53

Last Page

57

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