Background: Evaluative studies have shown that special units for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) who have challenging behaviour have advantages and disadvantages. There has been no survey of their number or characteristics for nearly 20 years. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all National Health Service trusts that had ID inpatient…

Compared, during a two-year period, lengths of stay of patients on two admission wards that served the same community mental health center. Results showed a significant difference in length of stay for voluntary and involuntary patients. (BH)

A taxometric analysis of the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; S. D. Hart, D. N. Cox, & R. D. Hare, 1995) was performed on a group of 2,250 male and female forensic/psychiatric patients and jail/prison inmates. The 4 PCL:SV facet scores (Interpersonal, Affective, Impulsive Lifestyle, Antisocial Behavior) served as indicators in…

Background: Over the years, the closure of institutions has meant that individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) must access mainstream (i.e. general) mental health services. However, concern that general services may not adequately meet the needs of patients with ID and mental illness has led to the development and implementation of more…

Examined suicides in Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State Hospital for persons formerly labeled "criminally insane." Found variation in suicide rate by historical period. Post-1968 rate of 232 per 100,000 was comparable to data reported in studies of psychiatric suicides, suggesting that forensic hospital populations have suicide rates…

Verbal and physical aggression are risk factors for community placement of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. Depending on the motivations involved, treatment typically consists of psychotropic medications and psychosocial interventions, including contingency management procedures and anger management training. Effects of a…

Unfortunately, racial disparities are well documented in the delivery of behavioral health services. This study examines the effects of implementing a decision support process, integrating clinical information into the administration of mental health services, on racial disparities in psychiatric hospital admissions for children in state custody.…

Overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of schizophrenia among African American clients is a longstanding and critical disparity in mental health services. Overdiagnosis of schizophrenia is detrimental because it increases the potential for treatment with the wrong medications. Inadequate assessment of mood disorders, co-occurring substance abuse, and…

A retrospective cohort of discharged patients from all public psychiatric hospitals in Hong Kong (1997-1999) was linked to suicide data from Coroner's court. Patients hospitalized shorter than 15 days had significantly lower suicide rates than longer stay patients. The results were fairly consistent across immediate/late post discharge periods,…

The article describes the educational approach used at the Adolescent Unit of the Austin State Hospital for seriously mentally ill children (16 to 20 years old). (SBH)

Draws from personal and professional experiences to provide a narrative perspective on journal writing. Delineates 10 reasons why journal writing can serve as a powerful adjunct to therapy, drawing on examples from journal therapy programs for inpatient psychiatric hospitals. (SR)

Explored death-dip phenomenon, previously reported decrease in death occurring before significant dates, with cohort of 4,800 psychiatric patients. Compared dates of death with each individual's birthday, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Found no death-dip phenomenon, significant increase in accidental death preceding birthdays, suggested suicide…

Asserts that male youths from abusive family environments may be particularly vulnerable to recruitment into satanic cults. Describes etiological factors and treatment approaches of 10 hospitalized boys who voluntarily involved themselves in repeated group satanic activities during their adolescence. Includes two case illustrations. Provides…

Explored nature and extent of substance abuse problems among 260 youth consecutively admitted to adolescent psychiatric unit through use of self-report data and standardized instruments. Results indicated that substantial percentage of adolescents hospitalized with primary psychiatric diagnosis also had coexisting substance abuse problems. Over…