Sk. Hoge et al., PATIENT, FAMILY, AND STAFF PERCEPTIONS OF COERCION IN MENTAL-HOSPITALADMISSION - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY, Behavioral sciences & the law, 11(3), 1993, pp. 281-293
Little is known about the coercive pressures brought to bear on psychi
atric patients in the hospitalization process. Significant methodologi
cal hurdles stand in the way of this research. Most notably, reliable
and valid methods of ascertaining and quantifying perceptions of coerc
ion have not been developed. This report summarizes the findings of an
exploratory study designed to gather data needed to refine the concep
tualization and measurement of coercion. Multiple perspectives on admi
ssion incidents for forty-three patients (26% of whom were involuntari
ly hospitalized) were obtained. Patients were administered research in
terviews and completed a self-administered inventory shortly after the
admission decision. The admitting clinician and a family member invol
ved in the admission were administered parallel interviews. In additio
n, focus groups comprised of outpatients, former patients, family memb
ers, and clinical staff were conducted to uncover the terminology and
description of coercion commonly used. The implications of these preli
minary quantitative and qualitative findings for future research are d
iscussed