Navigating Through the Darkness: An Exploratory Study Unraveling the Experience of Hospitalization of Adolescents and...

Suicide prevention and treatment guidelines for pediatric patients often mirror adult strategies. Distinguishing itself from other pediatric specialties, when a child is psychiatrically hospitalized, the child is typically separated from their family, despite the impact and possible ramifications of familial separation. This exploratory study explores the perceived impact of inpatient psychiatric treatment, through patient and caregiver narratives, aiming to enhance mental health treatment approaches. Focusing on the experience of 19 adolescent and parent dyads, we conducted thematic analysis of their interviews. Participants highlighted their hospital experience across two key categories: emergency department and hospitalization experience, including personal and social impacts of their stay. Findings are explored in the context of the helpfulness-harmfulness paradox and suggest that understanding these experiences from both adolescent and caregiver perspectives can inform improvements in psychiatric treatment practices. Despite limited research on optimal practices for acute psychiatric episodes, this study underscores the importance of considering the broader familial and emotional impacts of hospitalization.