Involuntary psychiatric treatment

Abstract

In an interview study carried out in the Psychiatric Clinic of Tampere University Hospital, patients with functional psychoses showed positive attitudes towards involuntary psychiatric hospitalization as a societal issue. The legal status of the interviewees did not distinguish between their opinions, but the patients' personal experience of being coerced was related to less favourable attitudes. Patients' attitudes are discussed in relation to civil rights, paternalism, individualism, and collectivism.

Key Words:

• Involuntary treatment of the mentally ill
• Paternalism
• Patients' attitudes