Civil commitment in the psychiatric emergency room. III. Disposition as a function of mental disorder and dangerousness indicators.
In 251 evaluations observed in five California public psychiatric emergency rooms, patients who were retained, whether new to the system or having histories of hospitalization, rated higher on measures of danger to self, danger to others, and grave disability than patients who were released. They were also more severely symptomatic and more often given major diagnoses. The combination of dangerousness and mental disorder predicted disposition for 93% of new patients and 88% of recidivist patients. Impulsivity was the most influential aspect of mental disorder.
Segal
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Mental Health and Social Welfare Research Group, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Watson
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MA
Goldfinger
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Averbuck
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014754:Violence