Risk Factors Leading to Increased Recidivism Rates among Adolescents Admitted to an Acute Care Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital

The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors that may increase recidivism among adolescents admitted to an acute child and adolescent psychiatric hospital. A chart review was performed on 98 adolescent clients admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital, in order to gather data on the potential risk factors of gender, length of stay, diagnoses, living situation, history of a suicide attempt, history of self-harming behavior, history of trauma and abuse, reason for admission, history of previous admissions, presence of outpatient services, and family mental health history. Clients readmitted to the hospital within a 12 month time frame were compared to clients who were not readmitted during that 12 month period. History of self-harming behaviors, and length of stay greater than 5 days were found to be risk factors for recidivism in a primary analysis, while self-harming behavior and history of trauma and abuse were found to be significant risk factors for recidivism during a sub analysis. It is recommended that adolescent clients admitted to a psychiatric hospital with a history of self-harming behavior, extended length of stay, and history of trauma and abuse be identified and that personalized treatment plans are developed for preventing repeat hospitalizations