Internalized stigma and traumatizing effects of psychiatric hospitalization in adolescents: Is there any difference between being hospitalized in adult or adolescent inpatient psychiatric services?

Objective: Psychiatric hospitalization serves as a critical treatment modality. However, hospitalization may pose risks of traumatization or stigma. This study primarily examined the internalized stigma and traumatizing effects of psychiatric hospitalization on adolescents. Additionally, the treatment of adolescents within adult inpatient psychiatric services may yield differing stigmatization and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. Hence, the secondary objective was to discern the variance in stigmatization and PTSD symptoms between adolescents treated in adult inpatient psychiatric services (AIPS) and those in child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric services (CAIPS).

Method: The cohort consisted of patients from Akdeniz University's Adult Psychiatry Inpatient Service (n = 29) and Uludağ University's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Service (n = 28), matched for age and gender. Assessments using the Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index and the Internalized Stigma Scale for Children and Adolescents (ISSCA) were conducted 6 months after discharge.

Results: 36.8% and 10.5% of adolescents exhibited "mild" and "very severe" PTSD symptoms, respectively. Adolescents treated in CAIPS had higher Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index scores than those in AIPS. However, there was no significant difference between the AIPS and CAIPS groups regarding ISSCA-self and ISSCA-perceived scores.

Conclusions: The current findings underscore that psychiatric hospitalization can lead to traumatic experiences in adolescents, especially those treated in CAIPS. Providing informed care and emotional support during hospitalization could bolster resilience and facilitate recovery among these individuals. While adolescents are sometimes placed in AIPS, it is crucial that professionals are adequately trained and supported in managing this vulnerable population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).