Changing Psychopathology in Female Adolescent Inpatients: 1973 versus 1983

Abstract

This study raises the question of whether sociodemographic factors or manifestations of psychopathology among hospitalized female adolescents (ages 15-19) changed from 1973 to 1983. Two samples of 50 patients each were selected from among psychiatric hospital admissions in 1973 and 1983. Demographic data, psychiatric histories of both patient and family, information about the family constellation and patients' clinical profiles at admission were obtained from patients' hospital records. Differences between the cohorts suggest that symptoms and problems have changed somewhat in the 10-year period and that the more recently admitted patients show evidence of more serious illness. Implications as to the focus of future treatment programs are discussed.

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