Experiences of patients hospitalized during the Texas mental health scandal

TOPIC The impact of psychiatric hospitalization on children and adolescents hospitalized during the Texas mental health scandal. METHODS. Content analysis of archival data and in-depth interviews. FINDINGS. subjects (N = 19) voiced complaints about the stigma resulting fr om the hospitalization as well as lack of individual care, violations of pe rsonal boundaries, ineffectual outcomes, permanent disruption to family rel ations, separation from family, trauma of seeing of hers restrained, and be ing restrained themselves. CONCLUSIONS. Unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization has long-term ramifica tions for children and adolescents in terms of self-view, family, and socia l relationships.