Prevalence of perceived coercion among psychiatric patients: Literature review and meta-regression modelling
Open accessAbstract
Aims and method To assess how common the subjective experience of coercion is in psychiatric care and what affects its prevalence. A review of published data was undertaken to assess prevalence of coercion and potential confounding variables. The heterogeneity of results was studied using meta-regression to quantify the relative impact of four potential explanatory variables. Results The raw prevalence of perceived coercion ranged from 16 to 90%. A quarter of legally detained patients did not feel coerced into psychiatric care, whereas a quarter of voluntary in-patients reported coercion in care. Coercion was more common in studies outside the USA, among patient populations subject to legal detention and populations studied using the MacArthur Perceived Coercion Scale as opposed to other measures. Timing of the interview was not associated with coercion. Clinical implications Coercion in psychiatric care remains highly prevalent but varies widely by study. Consistency in measurement is necessary to allow better comparison between studies.
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Up to 74 to 80% of involuntarily hospitalized individuals report perceiving coercion.
“Studies have shown that up to 74 to 80% of involuntarily hospitalized individuals, and 22 to 25% of those voluntarily admitted for a mental health issue, report perceiving coercion [5,10].”
From Factors Associated with Perceived Coercion in Adults Receiving Psychiatric Care: A Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as [5]
The Results report that 74% of legally detained patients perceived coercion (95% CI 63–82%), supporting the claim’s population and 74% figure. The paper does not report 80% as a separate prevalence estimate; it falls within the confidence interval, so the stated 74–80% range is not fully supported. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured22 to 25% of individuals voluntarily admitted for a mental health issue report perceiving coercion.
“Studies have shown that up to 74 to 80% of involuntarily hospitalized individuals, and 22 to 25% of those voluntarily admitted for a mental health issue, report perceiving coercion [5,10].”
From Factors Associated with Perceived Coercion in Adults Receiving Psychiatric Care: A Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as [5]
The Results report a 25% combined prevalence of perceived coercion among informally admitted patients, supporting the upper end of the claimed range. They also report 22% as the lowest raw prevalence across studies, but do not identify it as a rate for voluntarily admitted patients; that lower end is not established for the claimed group. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredPerceived coercion is commonly reported by a large number of persons receiving psychiatric care.
“Although less studied than other forms of coercion, perceived coercion is nevertheless commonly reported by a large number of persons receiving psychiatric care.”
From Factors Associated with Perceived Coercion in Adults Receiving Psychiatric Care: A Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as [5]
Perceived coercion is associated with feelings of dehumanization and isolation.
“Perceived coercion has many consequences, such as an increased risk of suicide after discharge [11], avoidance of mental health services [12], and feelings of dehumanization and isolation [5].”
From Factors Associated with Perceived Coercion in Adults Receiving Psychiatric Care: A Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as [5]
The Abstract defines perceived coercion as a negative experience of lost autonomy, and the Discussion addresses its prevalence and contributing factors. Neither passage links it to feelings of dehumanization or isolation; searches for those feelings and related terms found no such passage in our copy. Page numbers were not available. (LLM, conf=0.73)
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References 45 · Cited by 38
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Glass C, Arnkoff D. Consumers' perspectives on helpful and hindering factors in mental health treatment. J Clin Psychol 2000; 56: 1467-80.
- Eriksson K, Westrin C-G. Coercive measures in psychiatric care. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1995; 92: 225-30.
- Authors
- Newton-Howes, G., & Stanley, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Otago (NZ)
- ORCID
- Stanley, James
- Venue
- The Psychiatrist
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2012-09
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 335-340
- ISSN
- 1758-3209 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-3217
- OpenAlex
- W2171148772
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 2.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Psychiatrist (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- 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
- perceived coercion, psychiatric nursing, prevalence, measurement consistency, patient experience
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