Perceptions of Prehospital Dangerous Behavior by Psychiatric Inpatients and their Families

Eighty hospitalized patients and a family member of each were interviewed to determine factors associated with involuntary commitment and family perceptions of prehospital dangerousness. Although families were twice as likely as patients to describe patients as dangerous, according to both groups a large percentage of patients were dangerous prior to psychiatric hospitalization. Patients viewed as dangerous had less education, were less likely to be employed full or part time, were more likely hospitalized because of impending harm to themselves or others, and were prone to drug or alcohol abuse. Dangerous behavior was associated with involuntary commitment in patients considered dangerous by their families who denied they were dangerous.