DIMENSIONS AND PREDICTORS OF CHANGE DURING BRIEF PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALIZATION

The effects of brief psychiatric hospitalization on patient functionin g remain controversial and poorly defined. In this study, 217 subjects were evaluated for the changes they experienced during a brief admiss ion (average length of stay 23.0 +/- 16.2 days). Significant improveme nts occurred in symptoms, global functioning, self-esteem, perceptions of others, and ego functioning. Better multidimensional outcome corre lated with symptomatic improvement and preadmission functioning. No ef fects were found for age, gender, Axis I diagnosis, presence of an Axi s II or Axis III disorder, prior hospitalization, severity of symptoms , length of stay, or payor group. During brief hospitalization, patien ts appear to improve in several areas of psychosocial functioning.