Involuntary psychiatric admission in Cyprus: A descriptive correlational study
Journal
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
Date Issued
October 2022
DOI
10.1016/j.apnu.2022.03.013
Abstract
Introduction: Studies on the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of those involuntarily admitted to
psychiatric settings could help professionals and researchers to develop effective, targeted interventions, alternative to compulsory psychiatric care.
Aim:
The association between socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in adults under involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric treatment in the Republic of Cyprus was assessed.
Method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study. Data collection was achieved (December
2016 to February 2018) via a census sampling method. Socio-demographic and clinical data of individuals
involuntarily admitted to the reference psychiatric hospital of Cyprus with psychotic symptomatology were
recorded.
Results: The sample encompassed 144 females and 262 males. The most frequent diagnosis was schizophrenia or
a relevant psychotic disorder (72.9%). The most frequent cause of admission was “Disorganized behaviour" along
with non-adherence to pharmacotherapy (53.7%). Approximately 42.8% of the participants confirmed positive
substance use history, which was more frequently reported in males than in females (88.5% vs. 11.5%,
respectively, p < 0.001). Additionally, males were more frequently admitted due to Disorganized behaviour with
substance use compared to females (31.3% vs. 4.9%, respectively, p < 0.001), while females were more
frequently admitted due to d"Disorganized behaviour with non-adherence to pharmacotherapy (70.1% vs.
44.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). Also, males were more frequently involuntarily hospitalized due to suicidal/selfharming behaviour compared to females (12.2% vs. 5.6%, respectively, p = 0.031).
Conclusion: Gender differences were noted in relation to clinical characteristics of the participants, highlighting
the need for gender-specific interventions to decrease compulsory psychiatric care, including enhancement of
adherence to therapy.
psychiatric settings could help professionals and researchers to develop effective, targeted interventions, alternative to compulsory psychiatric care.
Aim:
The association between socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in adults under involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric treatment in the Republic of Cyprus was assessed.
Method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study. Data collection was achieved (December
2016 to February 2018) via a census sampling method. Socio-demographic and clinical data of individuals
involuntarily admitted to the reference psychiatric hospital of Cyprus with psychotic symptomatology were
recorded.
Results: The sample encompassed 144 females and 262 males. The most frequent diagnosis was schizophrenia or
a relevant psychotic disorder (72.9%). The most frequent cause of admission was “Disorganized behaviour" along
with non-adherence to pharmacotherapy (53.7%). Approximately 42.8% of the participants confirmed positive
substance use history, which was more frequently reported in males than in females (88.5% vs. 11.5%,
respectively, p < 0.001). Additionally, males were more frequently admitted due to Disorganized behaviour with
substance use compared to females (31.3% vs. 4.9%, respectively, p < 0.001), while females were more
frequently admitted due to d"Disorganized behaviour with non-adherence to pharmacotherapy (70.1% vs.
44.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). Also, males were more frequently involuntarily hospitalized due to suicidal/selfharming behaviour compared to females (12.2% vs. 5.6%, respectively, p = 0.031).
Conclusion: Gender differences were noted in relation to clinical characteristics of the participants, highlighting
the need for gender-specific interventions to decrease compulsory psychiatric care, including enhancement of
adherence to therapy.