PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALIZATION OF ADOLESCENTS FOR CONDUCT DISORDER

Objective: The authors' goal was to review current published literatur e on the psychiatric hospitalization of adolescents with a diagnosis O f conduct disorder. Methods: The English-language literature from 1980 to 1991 cited in the MEDLINE database was searched using the key word s conduct disorder, adolescent psychiatric hospitalization, psychiatri c hospitalization criteria, adolescent psychiatric inpatient hospitali zation, and adolescent psychiatric admissions. Results: A diagnosis of conduct disorder or presenting symptoms and behaviors consistent with that diagnosis are commonly reported for adolescent psychiatric admis sions. Estimates of the percentage of admissions to psychiatric inpati ent treatment facilities of adolescents with conduct disorder or sympt oms consistent with that disorder range from 30 to 70 percent. There a re no research-based criteria for hospitalization of adolescents for c onduct disorder, and systematic studies of the outcome of psychiatric hospitalization for this group have not been published. Comorbid psych iatric diagnoses and similar behavioral symptoms in conduct disorder a nd comorbid disorders complicate inpatient treatment of adolescents wi th conduct disorder. Conclusions: Studies of the outcome of psychiatri c hospitalization of adolescents for conduct disorder are needed to de termine the appropriate use of this modality.