Gedwongen opname bij minderjarigen: welke jongeren worden gezien ter inschatting?

Abstract

Compulsory admission of minors: which young people are seen for evaluation? In recent years, the number of compulsory admissions of minors in Flanders (Belgium) has been increasing. The procedure for compulsory admission is often impressive because of the legal and police framework, and there is little insight into the population of young people who come into contact with this far-reaching procedure. This study maps out the population that is seen for evaluation for compulsory admission. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the minors who presented at the emergency department of the Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) with an application for compulsory admission (n = 71) in the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were collected. The study population predominantly concerned girls. Requests for compulsory admission were mainly initiated because of suicidal thoughts, a suicide attempt or psychotic symptoms. Young people with a developmental disorder were most often seen for an application for compulsory admission, but were admitted less often than those with trauma- and stressor-related disorders. This study is one of the first that specifically focuses on the population of minors who come into contact with an application procedure for compulsory admission. Gaining insight into this population is important to identify modifiable risk factors so that young people do not have to undergo this procedure unnecessarily. The findings regarding the group of young people who were compulsory admitted after the application, are largely in line with previous international studies.