Involuntary admission in two psychiatric hospitals from different catchment areas in Croatia six months after implementation of the Law on Mental Health

The aim of the study was to investigate involuntary admissions in two psych iatric hospitals from different catchment areas in Croatia, six months afte r the Law on Mental Health was passed. Medical records were surveyed in the six-month period. The sample comprised 380 men and 335 women hospitalized voluntarily and 48 men and 125 women hospitalized involuntarily The results showed a higher prevalence of involuntary hospitalization in the Psychiatr ic Hospital Rab, in comparison to the University Department of the Psychiat ric Hospital Vrapce. Most patients from both hospitals had the final diagno sis of psychosis. Although there were some differences between the two hosp itals regarding factors distinguishing involuntary from voluntary patients, the most consistent factor related to involuntary hospitalization was "bei ng female".