An exploration of absconding behaviours from culturally and linguistically diverse psychiatric hospital patients in Australia

Abstract

Psychiatric morbidity among minority populations is believed to be higher than in the general population due to unmet healthcare needs and where significant health inequalities are experienced within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations. Absconding (psychiatric patients running away from hospital) is a high-risk event and has been linked to harm to self and others. Very little research has been conducted into the absconding behaviours of people from a CALD background. In this study, a population of in-patients from a CALD background who absconded from a psychiatric hospital was examined. Areas of analysis included identification of CALD patients who absconded more than once, diagnosis, age, ward of absconding and time of absconding events. Approximately one-in-six patients from a CALD background absconded in the present study, indicating that absconding is a problem of sufficient extent to warrant greater attention. The authors conclude that more efforts should be made to restructure pathways to mental health care needs among CALD populations.

Keywords:

• abscond
• ethnicity
• inpatient
• multicultural
• psychiatry
• mental health

Acknowledgements

Funding for this research was provided by a 2007 University of South Australia NHMRC Project Development Scheme Grant. Eimear Muir-Cochrane was an Associate Professor at the University of South Australia in 2007 and is now at Flinders University.