Social and clinical correlates of the 'new'long-stay

Abstract

Of a total admission cohort of 1934 psychiatric patients 162 and 101 patients remained continuously in hospital for 6 mo. and 1 yr, respectively. The characteristics of these patients were described and at each stage compares them with those who were discharged on a number of social and clinical variables. The findings confirm the importance of social factors in determining continued retention and support the suggestion of a process of early selection of new long-stay patients put forward by Mann and Sproule. The findings are discussed and a case is argued in favor of continuing to provide for such patients in hospital.