Relation of callous-unemotional traits to length of stay among youth hospitalized at a state psychiatric inpatient facility.
We examined the association of callous-unemotional (C/U) traits with length of psychiatric hospitalization among two samples each with 50 participants: a group of 7-11 year-olds (39 males and 11 females) receiving services on a children's unit, and a group of 12-17 year-olds (27 males and 23 females) receiving services on an adolescent unit. Our analyses focused on the additionally predictive value of C/U traits above and beyond the influence of pre-established risk factors for length of stay, including age, gender, ethnicity, overall levels of functioning and psychopathology, and the diagnosis of a Conduct Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. In both samples, hierarchic regression analyses indicated that C/U traits were associated with longer lengths of stay, whereas none of the previously identified risk factors were significant. The discussion of these results focuses on the importance of developing non-coercive and non-confrontational therapeutic treatment regimens for youth with C/U traits receiving inpatient psychiatric services.
Stellwagen
Kurt K
KK
Department of Psychology, Eastern Washington University, 526 5th Street, Cheney, WA 99004, USA. kstellwagen@mail.ewu.edu
Kerig
Patricia K
PK
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors