Factors influencing admission to a community mental health center

The hypothesis that persistent social problems increase chances of subsequent admission for service applicants to a community mental health center was not supported. Reexamination of data suggested that social involvement is a criterion which delineates predictors of admission. Findings indicate that persons more constrained by ongoing social commitments are unlikely to establish or maintain treatment relationships with a psychiatric facility. Conversely, persons without constraining social positions are much more likely to establish a continuing relationship with institutional psychiatry. Marital status, parenthood, and employment are found to be indicative of crucial involvement. Discussion focuses on the implications of findings for operation of a community mental health center.