In again, out again: preliminary evaluation of a state hospital's worst recidivists.

The hospital records of the nongeriatric population of a state hospital (N = 191) were examined to identify the institution's worst recidivists. Twelve patients with a total of 276 admissions were found; six were diagnosed as schizophrenic and six as having a personality disorder. The two diagnostic subpopulations differed most strongly on reasons for their admissions and on treatment received in the hospital. The author proposes that other treatment approaches be applied to the two groups while further research is done.