TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding adverse experiences in the psychiatric institution
T2 - The importance of child abuse histories in iatrogenic trauma
AU - Reddy, L. Felice
AU - Spaulding, William D.
PY - 2010/11
Y1 - 2010/11
N2 - Psychiatric institutions are intended to be places of treatment and sanctuary. However, iatrogenic events in the hospital may interfere with treatment delivery and adherence (Shaw, McFarlane, & Bookless, 1997); additionally, a history of childhood abuse may increase vulnerability to negative emotional reactions to later adverse or threatening events (Chisholm, Freeman, & Cooke, 2006). The present study extends previous research on the frequency and impact of negative hospital events using the Psychiatric Experiences Questionnaire (Cusack et al., 2003), specifically considering the rate of negative events and consumers' perceptions of their treatment experiences. Questionnaires were administered to 43 participants with a history of at least one inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Results indicated that 98% of participants had experienced at least one negative event in the psychiatric hospital. Child abuse history was significantly related to number of reported negative hospital events, so that those with a history of child abuse reported experiencing a greater number of negative hospital events and a higher level of subjective distress. Implications for research, clinical practice, and policy to improve trauma-sensitive assessments and treatments are discussed.
AB - Psychiatric institutions are intended to be places of treatment and sanctuary. However, iatrogenic events in the hospital may interfere with treatment delivery and adherence (Shaw, McFarlane, & Bookless, 1997); additionally, a history of childhood abuse may increase vulnerability to negative emotional reactions to later adverse or threatening events (Chisholm, Freeman, & Cooke, 2006). The present study extends previous research on the frequency and impact of negative hospital events using the Psychiatric Experiences Questionnaire (Cusack et al., 2003), specifically considering the rate of negative events and consumers' perceptions of their treatment experiences. Questionnaires were administered to 43 participants with a history of at least one inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Results indicated that 98% of participants had experienced at least one negative event in the psychiatric hospital. Child abuse history was significantly related to number of reported negative hospital events, so that those with a history of child abuse reported experiencing a greater number of negative hospital events and a higher level of subjective distress. Implications for research, clinical practice, and policy to improve trauma-sensitive assessments and treatments are discussed.
KW - Child abuse
KW - Restraint
KW - Seclusion
KW - Severe mental illness
KW - Trauma
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U2 - 10.1037/a0020316
DO - 10.1037/a0020316
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:78650123994
SN - 1541-1559
VL - 7
SP - 242
EP - 253
JO - Psychological Services
JF - Psychological Services
IS - 4
ER -