Jeffrey W. Swanson

Publications [#137724] of Jeffrey W. Swanson

Journal Articles

  1. J Swanson, M Swartz, J Ferron, E Elbogen, R Van Dorn, Psychiatric advance directives among public mental health consumers in five U.S. cities: prevalence, demand, and correlates., The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, vol. 34 no. 1 (2006), pp. 43-57, ISSN 1093-6793
    (last updated on 2013/05/16)

    Abstract:
    Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) are legal instruments that allow competent persons to document their preferences regarding future mental health treatment and to designate a surrogate decisionmaker in the event they lose capacity to make reliable treatment decisions during an acute episode of psychiatric illness. This study reports the findings of a survey of 1,011 psychiatric outpatients in five U.S. cities about their interest in, and completion of, PADs. Across the sites, only 4 to 13 percent of participants had completed a PAD; however, between 66 and 77 percent reported wanting to complete one if given assistance. Significantly higher demand for PADs was found among participants who were female; were nonwhite; had a history of self-harm, arrest, and decreased personal autonomy; and those who felt pressured to take medication. Actual completion of PADs was more likely among participants with higher insight, those reporting leverage by a representative payee, and those who felt external pressure to keep outpatient appointments for mental health treatment.

    Keywords:
    Adult • Advance Directives* • Female • Health Care Surveys • Humans • Male • Middle Aged • Outpatients • Psychiatry* • Public Sector* • United States • Urban Population • psychology*