Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and
trend over time of involuntary psychiatric admissions of minors,
and to examine the psychiatric diagnoses in involuntary
admissions of minors as compared to those admitted on a
voluntary basis.
Method:
A retrospective register study was made during the period
1996–2000 of a nationally representative hospital discharge
register in Finland.
Results:
Involuntary admissions of children (aged < 12) and
adolescents (aged 12–17) increased vastly over the study period,
both in absolute figures and in proportion to all admissions in
the age groups. Although some disorders were more likely to be
linked to compulsory admission than others, a variety of
individual diagnoses were represented under compulsory
admission.
Conclusion:
More comprehensive guidance for clinicians is needed
regarding the involuntary admission of minors. More theoretical
and empirical research is needed on minors
competence to
consent to or refuse treatment.
Key words
commitment of mentally ill - minors - register study - epidemiology - psychiatric health services research