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Do suicidal ideation and behaviour influence duration of psychiatric hospitalization?
Author(s) -
Smith David,
Fisher Laura,
Goldney Robert
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-0979.2002.00252.x
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , psychiatry , suicidal behavior , medicine , ideation , psychiatric hospital , suicide prevention , injury prevention , poison control , occupational safety and health , psychology , medical emergency , pathology , cognitive science
: Suicidal ideation and behaviour are sometimes considered to be manipulative, with the intention of escaping from intolerable situations leading to prolonged hospitalization. The present study examined the length of hospitalization of those who had attempted suicide or had suicidal ideation compared to non‐suicidal patients, as measured by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales in two private psychiatric hospitals. Suicidal patients had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization, despite their significantly greater degree of psychiatric morbidity. Results indicated that it is erroneous to preclude inpatient care for those who are suicidal on the assumption that it will promote prolonged hospitalization.