Astrid Furre1, Leiv Sandvik, Sonja Heyerdahl, Svein Friis, Maria Knutzen, Ketil Hanssen-Bauer. 1. Ms. Furre and Dr. Knutzen are with the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, Center for National and Regional Mental Health Services, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (e-mail: asfurr@ous-hf.no ). Ms. Furre is also with the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, where Dr. Heyerdahl and Dr. Hanssen-Bauer are affiliated. Dr. Sandvik is with the Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Dr. Friis is with the Department of Research and Development, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, both at Oslo University Hospital, Oslo. Dr. Friis is also with the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Use of restraint in psychiatric treatment is controversial. This study compared social, mental health, and treatment characteristics of restrained and nonrestrained adolescents in acute psychiatric inpatient units. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control design, we included all adolescents restrained during 2008-2010 (N=288) in all acute psychiatric inpatient units that accepted involuntarily admitted adolescents in Norway (N=16). A control group (N=288) of nonrestrained adolescent patients was randomly selected from the same units. Restraint included mechanical restraint, pharmacological restraint, seclusion, and physical holding. Data sources were electronic patient records and restraint protocols. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to predict restraint use. RESULTS: Compared with nonrestrained adolescents, restrained adolescents were more likely to be immigrants, to live in institutions or foster care, and to have had involvement with child protection services. The restrained adolescents were more likely to have psychotic, eating, or externalizing disorders and lower scores on the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). They had multiple admissions and longer stays and were more often involuntarily referred. When the analysis adjusted for age, gender, living arrangements, child protection services involvement, and ICD-10 diagnoses, several variables were significantly associated with restraint: immigrant background, low CGAS score, number of admissions, length of stay, and involuntary referral. CONCLUSIONS: Restrained and nonrestrained patients differed significantly in social, mental health, and treatment characteristics. These findings may be useful in developing strategies for reducing the use of restraint in child and adolescent psychiatry.
OBJECTIVE: Use of restraint in psychiatric treatment is controversial. This study compared social, mental health, and treatment characteristics of restrained and nonrestrained adolescents in acute psychiatric inpatient units. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control design, we included all adolescents restrained during 2008-2010 (N=288) in all acute psychiatric inpatient units that accepted involuntarily admitted adolescents in Norway (N=16). A control group (N=288) of nonrestrained adolescent patients was randomly selected from the same units. Restraint included mechanical restraint, pharmacological restraint, seclusion, and physical holding. Data sources were electronic patient records and restraint protocols. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to predict restraint use. RESULTS: Compared with nonrestrained adolescents, restrained adolescents were more likely to be immigrants, to live in institutions or foster care, and to have had involvement with child protection services. The restrained adolescents were more likely to have psychotic, eating, or externalizing disorders and lower scores on the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). They had multiple admissions and longer stays and were more often involuntarily referred. When the analysis adjusted for age, gender, living arrangements, child protection services involvement, and ICD-10 diagnoses, several variables were significantly associated with restraint: immigrant background, low CGAS score, number of admissions, length of stay, and involuntary referral. CONCLUSIONS: Restrained and nonrestrained patients differed significantly in social, mental health, and treatment characteristics. These findings may be useful in developing strategies for reducing the use of restraint in child and adolescent psychiatry.