Lunar Phase and Acting-Out Behavior

Abstract

Psychiatric hospital records were used to ascertain whether acting-out behavior increases during the full moon phase. Acting-out behavior is identified as that which was dangerous to self or others to the extent that either seclusion or restraint was deemed necessary by qualified mental health professionals to prevent physical harm. Records in the seclusion/restraint log book of an Alabama hospital for 1982, 1983, and 1984 were used for the study. To ensure confidentiality no identification of subjects was made. This study, like many previous similar studies shows no significant increases during the full moon phase.