Outcome of Voluntary vs Involuntary Admissions in Greece over 2 years after Discharge: A Cohort Study in the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica “Dafni”
Abstract
The increasing rates of involuntary hospitalization constitute a major ethical issue in psychiatric practice. The present cohort study endeavours to investigate the relationship between patients' legal status (involuntary vs voluntary) and the outcome of their hospitalization, over 2 years after discharge. All individuals admitted in the 3rd Psychiatric Department of the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica during February 2015-February 2017 took part in the study. 64.7% of patients were compulsory admitted. Findings indicate a statistically significant improvement in global functioning and symptomatology levels from admission to discharge for all treated patients, independently of their legal status. However, readmission rates over 2 years after discharge were high (34.8% vs. 21.9% in voluntary and involuntary patients, respectively). In conclusion, psychiatric admission, irrespectively of legal status leads to clinical improvement.
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The association with involuntary readmission possibly indicates less therapeutic engagement.
“By contrast, two studies found that overall readmission was not higher following involuntary admission (69,70) although there was an association with involuntary readmission, possibly indicating less therapeutic engagement (71–75).”
From The benefits and harms of inpatient involuntary psychiatric treatment: a scoping review (2025) · cites this paper as [73]
There was an association with involuntary readmission.
“By contrast, two studies found that overall readmission was not higher following involuntary admission (69,70) although there was an association with involuntary readmission, possibly indicating less therapeutic engagement (71–75).”
From The benefits and harms of inpatient involuntary psychiatric treatment: a scoping review (2025) · cites this paper as [73]
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- Authors
- Drakonakis, N., Stylianidis, S., Peppou, L. E., Douzenis, A., Nikolaidi, S., Tzavara, C., Baladima, C. E., Iatropoulou, G. O., Psarra, V., Tsopanaki, E., & Barbato, A.
- Affiliations
- Panteion University (GR)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
- Association for Regional Development and Mental Health (GR)
- Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Drakonakis, Nektarios
- ORCID
- Venue
- Community Mental Health Journal
- Published
- 2021-08-09
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 633-644
- ISSN
- 0010-3853 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-2789
- OpenAlex
- W3190618095
- Cited by
- 13
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 1.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Community Mental Health Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
- Keywords
- involuntary admission, compulsory psychiatric admission, voluntary admission, psychiatric hospitalization, hospital readmission, global functioning, symptom improvement, legal status of patients, Greece
- MeSH terms
- Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders, Commitment of Mentally Ill, Greece, Hospitals, Psychiatric, Humans, Patient Discharge, Cohort Studies
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