Family-related Factors Associated With Readmission Among Children and Adolescents With Psychiatric Disorders.

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric readmission among children and adolescents is a major concern in mental health services and is influenced by clinical, familial, and demographic factors. However, the contribution of family-related variables remains insufficiently understood, particularly in non-Western contexts.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 78 children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their primary caregivers. We collected data using standardized questionnaires assessing caregiver burden, parenting styles, and parent-child relationship quality, along with demographic and clinical variables. We used Poisson regression to identify predictors of psychiatric readmission.

Results: Family-related variables were significantly associated with psychiatric readmission. Higher caregiver burden, particularly emotional burden, was associated with increased readmission risk. Authoritarian parenting and greater parent-child conflict were also linked to higher readmission, whereas emotional closeness and permissive parenting showed protective associations. Contrary to conventional expectations, authoritative parenting was not significantly associated with readmission in the final model. Most demographic variables were also not significantly associated with readmission.

Conclusions: Psychiatric readmission among children and adolescents appears to be strongly influenced by family emotional functioning. Notably, permissive parenting was associated with lower readmission risk, whereas authoritative parenting was not significantly associated with outcomes. These findings underscore the need for family-centered and culturally informed approaches in child and adolescent mental health care.