On the factors predicting rehospitalization among two state mental hospital patient populations

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This study takes a new look at an old issue. It examines the background and performance characteristics of discharged patients from two mental hospitals in Florida in an effort to distinguish those who were readmitted from those still in the community at 6 months. Readmissions were best distinguished from those still in the community on the basis of continued use of outpatient aftercare, low leisure time activity levels, depression, and sensitivity to social stigma. They were also likely to be living alone or with nonrelatives in a living situation with which they were uncomfortable.