Violence, civil commitment, and hospitalization.

The frequency of violent behavior and civil commitment leading to hospitalization of psychiatric patients was examined comparing the years 1973 and 1983. For each year, 150 patients were randomly selected among admissions to a locked acute psychiatric unit in a university setting. Medical charts were reviewed for descriptions of violent behavior, demographic information, and legal status. While the rate of preadmission violence did not change significantly between 1973 and 1983, there was a threefold increase in the proportion of patients admitted involuntarily as a danger to others. Possible explanations of the inconsistent application of civil commitment statutes are discussed.