Open AccessPresence and influence of trauma in inpatient psychiatric care
Author(s) -
Rachel B. Nowlin,
Sarah Brown,
Jessica R. Ingram,
Amanda R. Drake,
Johan R. Smith
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of healthcare
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2377-7346
pISSN - 2377-7338
DOI - 10.5430/ijh.v5n2p21
Subject(s) - psychiatry , medicine , population , mental health , posttraumatic stress , inpatient care , mental illness , clinical psychology , health care , environmental health , economics , economic growth
Background: Previous research indicates traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occur at a higher rate in people with severe mental illness (SMI) than in the general population, and co-occurring PTSD symptoms can worsen outcomes for patients with SMI.Objective: This study assessed the presence and influence of PTSD symptoms in individuals with SMI in an inpatient psychiatric setting, and rates of PTSD diagnoses in this population.Methods: Retrospective analysis of demographic information and behavioral health outcomes, using a representative sample of adult and geriatric inpatient psychiatric patients (N = 4,126).Results: This study found elevated PTSD symptoms in over 65% of patients, and significant positive correlations between PTSD symptomatology and behavioral and emotional dysfunction. This study also explored differences in patients with PTSD symptoms who did and did not receive a PTSD diagnosis, finding associations for admission severity, race, and gender.Conclusions: Traumatization and PTSD symptoms were prevalent in psychiatric inpatient settings, and had an impact on behavioral health outcomes. Recommendations include the use of PTSD screening in behavioral healthcare admission processes, and the furtherance of trauma-informed care for inpatient psychiatric patients with SMI, due to the volume of traumatization and PTSD symptoms in the population.