CHARACTERISTICS OF PSYCHIATRIC-INPATIENTS WHO STALK, THREATEN, OR HARASS HOSPITAL STAFF AFTER-DISCHARGE

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify demographic and c linical characteristics of psychiatric inpatients who stalk, threaten, or harass hospital staff after discharge. Method: The authors retrosp ectively summarized the demographic and clinical characteristics of 17 inpatients who engaged in this type of behavior and a comparison grou p of 326 inpatients. Results: The patients who stalked, threatened, or harassed staff after discharge were significantly more likely than th e comparison patients to have a diagnosis of personality disorder and/ or paranoid disorder, erotomanic subtype, and to have a history of phy sically assaultive or fear-inducing behavior. The data suggest that th ey were more likely to be male and never married and to have histories of multiple hospitalizations, suicidal or self-injurious behavior, an d substance abuse or dependence. Conclusions: The findings reveal seve ral risk factors that may be useful in identifying a subgroup of patie nts who pose a risk of directing aggressive behavior toward hospital s taff after discharge.