This study departs from previous methodological approaches to study the impact of community mental health services on state mental hospital admission rates. By studying specific types of community mental health services, instead of mental health centers considered as a functional unit, the real service specific impact of community mental health programs on state hospital admission rates was isolated in each of the 67 counties in Florida. Service provision data and rates of state hospital admissions in each county were obtained from the state's Mental Health Program Office for the period from July 1, 1978 to June 30, 1979. / The primary research hypothesis suggested that community-based mental health services that provide the custody and asylum functions of the state hospital, called functional alternatives, can reduce or replace the need for the state hospital. A more general hypothesis examined the impact of all types of community mental health services on state hospital admission rates. Other factors such as total county population, population density, per capita income, and the proximity of each county to the state hospital were also included in the study to explore alternative explanations for state hospital admission rates. / Results of the study provided limited support for the primary hypothesis under certain conditions. In those counties with functional alternative community mental health services (mainly large, urban counties), and a range of other community mental health services, state hospital admission rates were lower. / The findings suggest that counties may utilize the state hospitals to serve different functions (e.g., treatment, custody, etc.) depending on the types of mental health services present in the county as well as the county's population size, social, and economic condition. For example, large, urban counties with comprehensive community mental health services may use the state hospital for individuals who do not respond to community treatment programs. In small, rural counties however, the state hospital may be their only accessible mental health service agency. / Mental health policy implications are developed and areas for further research are identified. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-04, Section: A, page: 1089. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75537 |
| Contributors | CURRAN, ROBERT GERARD., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 125 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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