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Who gets committed: demographic and diagnostic data.
J B Dawson1, M W Abbott, M A Henning
1Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Parnell, Auckland.
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|March 11, 1987
Summary
In 1984, psychiatric patients in New Zealand were more likely to be young adults, male, of Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity, and diagnosed with schizophrenia or affective disorder. This data serves as a baseline for future mental health law reforms.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding the demographic profile of individuals under compulsory psychiatric care is crucial for resource allocation and policy development.
- Previous data on the characteristics of committed psychiatric patients in New Zealand is limited, hindering comparative analysis over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the sociodemographic and diagnostic features of patients committed to psychiatric care in New Zealand in 1984.
- To establish a baseline for assessing future changes in the committed patient population post-Mental Health Act reform.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient records from psychiatric facilities in New Zealand for the year 1984.
- Comparison of committed patients' characteristics against total psychiatric admissions and the general population demographics.
Main Results:
- Committed psychiatric patients were disproportionately represented in the 20-39 age group.
- Males and individuals of Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity were overrepresented in the committed patient cohort.
- Schizophrenia and affective disorders were the most common diagnoses among committed patients.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight specific demographic and diagnostic groups at higher risk of compulsory psychiatric commitment in 1984.
- This baseline data is essential for evaluating the impact of the Mental Health Act reforms on patient demographics and diagnoses.