The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
ArticleNo Access

A Ten-Year Follow-up Study of the Effects of Deinstitutionalization

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.39.3.287

The Cambridge-Somerville unit of the Massachusetts state hospital system, which was studied by the author in 1977, was resurveyed to examine changes in the clinical characteristics of the patient population between 1977 and 1987. Although the number of patients in the hospital remained almost the same, there were striking increases in the percentages of male patients and of patients on involuntary legal status. There was a decrease in the number of patients who had hospital stays of 30 days or less or of more than five years and an increase in the number of patients staying between one and 12 months. These findings demonstrate that the effects of deinstitutionalization continue long after trends toward reduction of census have stabilized.

Access content

To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.