Absconding behaviour: an exploratory investigation in an acute inpatient unit.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to identify patient and environmental characteristics associated with absconding behaviour, and to gain an understanding of the behaviour from the patients' perspective.


METHODS
A prospective analysis of 77 consecutive incidents of absent-without-leave (AWOL) behaviour (n = 51 patients) was undertaken to develop a profile of patient and environmental characteristics associated with absconding behaviour. In addition, semi-structured interviews were carried out with a subsample of 14 patients within 24 h of returning to hospital from being AWOL.


RESULTS
Those who absconded were male (58%), under 40 years of age (74%), admitted involuntarily (78%), and had a diagnosis of schizophrenia (42%). One-third of all AWOL incidents resulted from repeated absconding by the same individuals. The first 7 days post admission was a high-risk period for absconding behaviour. Issues raised in the interviews with patients identified a number of situational and environmental factors which are likely to increase the risk of absconding.


CONCLUSIONS
Situational and environmental factors are more likely than patient characteristics to be predictive of absconding behaviour.
Meehan
T
T
Queensland University of Technology, Wolston Park Hospital, Wacol, Australia. meehan@qut.edu.au
Morrison
P
P
McDougall
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011793:Queensland; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012931:Social Environment