Predicting the Revolving Door Phenomenon

Examined relationships among demographic features, diagnostic characteristics, and frequency of hospitalization of patients from state hospitals. 135 inpatients with schizophrenia ( N = 56), schizoaffective disorder ( N = 33), unipolar major depressive disorder ( N = 23), and bipolar disorder ( N  = 23) completed the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and a life events history. Substance abuse and noncompliance with medication regimens were significantly associated with higher frequencies of hospitalization. A multiple regression model (which included alcohol/drug problems, medication noncompliance) and 6 sociodemographic and diagnostic variables (age, gender, race, marital status, years of education, and diagnosis) accounted for a significant proportion of the ability to predict frequency of hospitalization. Half of this predictability was due to the relationship of substance abuse and medication noncompliance with number of hospitalizations.