A honeymoon effect in child psychiatric hospitalization: a research note.

This study assessed the changes in the intensity of behavior problems over the course of 12-week hospitalization in 28 children hospitalized on a child psychiatry inpatient service. The results indicated that the symptoms of uncontrolled aggression, misbehavior and excessive dependency were more vivid 60 days post-admission than they had been after 14 days of hospitalization. The results provide some empirical support for the 'honeymoon' effect.