An analysis of relationships among peer support, psychiatric hospitalization, and crisis stabilization

This study's objective was to investigate how peer support relates to psychiatric hospitalization and crisis stabilization utilization outcomes. The likelihood of experiencing a psychiatric hospitalization or a crisis stabilization was modeled for consumers using peer support services and a control group of consumers using community mental health services but not peer support with 2003 and 2004 Georgia Medicaid claims data; 2003 and 2004 Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD) Community Information System data; and 2003 and 2004 MHDDAD Hospital Information System data. Peer support was associated with an increased likelihood (odds = 1.345) of crisis stabilization, a decreased but statistically insignificant likelihood (odds = 0.871) of psychiatric hospitalization overall, and a decreased and statistically significant (odds = .766) likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization for those who did not have a crisis stabilization episode.