Surveyed parents (N=80) prior to clinic contact to examine congruence between parent expectations and clinic actions as to the form, duration, and process of treatment. Supported the importance of congruent expectations of treatment form and duration to acceptance of services, but not of treatment process. (JAC)

In investigating two samples of psychological reports, the results showed that the reports either provided new and significant information or provided information which confirmed information previously suspected but not well established. Also, 52 percent of the reports actually altered management in some direct ways. (Author/CG)

Examines mental health service provision by social workers in a county jail through a retrospective review of 359 mentally ill jail inmates' health and mental health records. Of the non-psychiatric, mental health services provided beyond initial assessment, housing placement evaluations and follow-up sessions were the most frequent. Suggestions…

Describes study examining admissions to adolescent psychiatry inpatient units. Seven diagnostic groups accounted for 90% of admissions. Treatment programs included external resources and agencies. 67 percent of admissions led to "completed treatment." Suggests type of diagnosis, not reliance upon elective admissions, reduced likelihood…

Stigma is a major barrier to the life opportunities of people with disabilities, including those with psychiatric disabilities. Structural discrimination is stigma that results from social forces that develop over many years to diminish a group's resources and support needed to be successful. Affirmative action is a legal and political remedy to…

Context and Purpose: Rural and suburban populations remain underserved in terms of psychiatric services but have not been compared directly in terms of using telepsychiatry. Methods: Patient demographics, reasons for consultation, diagnosis, and alternatives to telepsychiatric consultation were collected for 200 consecutive, first-time…

In the wake of a U.S. Justice Department investigation that found widespread use of excessive force by staff at upstate psychiatric care facilities for mentally ill children, this new edition of Child Welfare Watch identifies shortcomings in mental health services and explores possible solutions, including the expansion of alternatives to…

Objective: To describe characteristics and outcomes of youth aged 7 to 17 who received inpatient psychiatric and mental health services along different clinical pathways of a new service delivery model. Method: Participants included 211 admissions to an inpatient crisis stabilization and assessment program over a one-year period. Standardized…

The effect of patient and interpretive narrative characteristics on the judged accuracy of pairs of automated narratives generated by two types of norms were studied using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory protocols of 100 adolescent psychiatric patients. Narratives generated from adolescent norms were rated as significantly more…

The aftercare program described in this article provides a community treatment program for adult psychiatric clients that aims at facilitating their adequate and independent adjustment to the community. (Author/JA)

Study indicated that, although well-integrated comprehensive community mental health system (CMHS) dramatically reduces utilization of long-stay inpatient beds compared to traditional health care systems, it does not banish appearance of "new chronic" patients from a catchment area. CMHS new chronic patients were younger, mostly male,…

Describes the Southeast-Bayview Mental Health Center Geriatric Services Unit, which provides a comprehensive mental health program for the elderly of San Francisco. The program emphasis is on crisis intervention, with reliance on home visits and follow-up services as well as screening and referral. (JAC)

Surveyed 21 family members of schizophrenic patients to examine the importance of congruence between their attitudes about schizophrenia and the professional's attitude. Results confirmed that families would be more satisfied working with professionals with similar attitudes. (JAC)

Mental health advocates have been distressed for years about the disproportionate number of people with psychiatric disabilities who are arrested or held in jail or prison. Equally disturbing is the endless cycle of recidivism that results when people with psychiatric disabilities are released with their needs unmet. The Council of State…