AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT PREDICT RECIDIVISM IN TREATMENT, OR RELAPSE, AMONG HMO MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS
The purpose of this study was to identify those factors and characteristics that predict recidivism, or relapse, among HMO mental health patients. As this study was exploratory in character, predictive hypotheses were not tested. Rather, each of 26 factors and characteristics were tested as independent, or explanatory, predicting variables in a series of null hypotheses wherein the number of post-release re-admissions to inpatient status over a one-year period was the dependent variable. Further, combinations of some of the 26 explanatory variables also were tested as independent predicting variables in null hypotheses.
A total of 23 factors, characteristics, or combinations thereof were found to be valid indicators of future recidivism among the members of the research sample, who were HMO mental health patients. Within the classifications of each of the 23 indicators, specific diagnoses or behaviors were identified as the primary predictors of recidivism.
Specific diagnoses and patient behaviors may be used to predict recidivism in mental health patients. While the sample for this study was drawn exclusively from HMO populations, it is reasonable to assume that the indicators and predictors of recidivism identified in this study will be valid for use with mental health patients generally.
Recidivism in relation to inpatient treatment is a substantial problem in mental health care. Recidivism in inpatient care is costly for the health care system and counterproductive from the perspective of patients (Roessler, Salize, & Reinhad, 1998). Past studies have implicated a broad range of factors in such recidivism; however, success in reducing the frequency of re-admissions to inpatient treatment among mental health patients has been spotty at best (Geller, 1992).
Recidivism in the care of m...