Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization and its relationship to psychopathology and aggression

The current study investigates the relationship between involuntary hospitalization, severity of psychopathology, and aggression. Adult psychiatric inpatients hospitalized from August, 2012 to January, 2013 were evaluated via the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS). Individuals were compared regarding voluntariness of hospitalization. Of the 137 hospitalizations in the period, 71 were involuntary (INV). The variables associated with involuntariness were being brought to hospital by ambulance or police, and aggression in the first 24 h of admission. Risk of suicide at admission, and having personal income were associated with voluntariness. The dimensions of the BPRS associated with involuntary hospitalization were activation, resistance, and positive symptoms. Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization was associated with agitation, psychosis and aggression. The data support the indication of involuntary hospitalization for treatment of patients with severe mental illness.