Dimensions and predictors of change during brief psychiatric hospitalization.

The effects of brief psychiatric hospitalization on patient functioning remain controversial and poorly defined. In this study, 217 subjects were evaluated for the changes they experienced during a brief admission (average length of stay 23.0 +/- 16.2 days). Significant improvements occurred in symptoms, global functioning, self-esteem, perceptions of others, and ego functioning. Better multidimensional outcome correlated with symptomatic improvement and preadmission functioning. No effects were found for age, gender, Axis I diagnosis, presence of an Axis II or Axis III disorder, prior hospitalization, severity of symptoms, length of stay, or payor group. During brief hospitalization, patients appear to improve in several areas of psychosocial functioning.