Use of holding, restraints, seclusion and time-out in child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient treatment

A. Sourander, H. Ellilä, Maritta Anneli Vaelimaeki, J. Piha

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the use of holding, restraints, seclusion and time-out in child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient treatment in Finland. The study included 504 child and adolescent psychiatric in-patients in the year 2000. Time-out had been used for 28%, holding for 26%, seclusion for 8%, and mechanical restraints for 4% of the in-patients. In multivariate analysis, aggressive acts were the strongest factor associated with all kinds of restraint practices. Psychosis, suicidal acts and older age (13-18 years) were associated with seclusion and mechanical restraints. Younger age (< 13 years), attachment disorder and autism were associated with holding. The longer children had been in treatment, the more likely they were to have been restrained. The high prevalence of restraint techniques used indicates a need for guidelines of restraint and seclusion which take into account the child's need for protection from his/her own impulses and the legal rights of the child.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)162-167
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Dec 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child and adolescent psychiatry
  • Holding
  • In-patient
  • Restraints
  • Seclusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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