Elizabeth Whitehead

Some Specific Problems of Secluding Female Patients

This paper reports on a study of secluded female patients in a special hospital. A random selection of seclusions occurring within one week of initiation were chosen and data were collected by a structured interview, involving nurses who had made the decision to initiate the seclusion. The interview schedule contained 18 items and the analysis utilized chi square test for categorical data and Speramans rank coefficient for correlation on the scores on two variables. The results indicated that there was an erratic use of alternative approaches attempted prior to the use of seclusion and that the stripping of patients as they are secluded is rationalized as ‘in the interest of their safety’. It is argued that further research is urgently required to interview the female patients concerned and to explore the specific issues pertaining to the seclusion of female patients. We question whether a high security psychiatric hospital is the most appropriate placement for females.

Exploring relationships in teenage pregnancy

The aim of this paper is to report a study exploring aspects of teenage pregnant women relationships with the fathers of their unborn children within the context of two contrasting demographic areas of the UK. The perceptions of teenage pregnant women on how they view their relationship with the fathers of their unborn babies has not been fully investigated. Three major categories emerged from the perspectives of 47 teenage pregnant women: (i) age of babys father; (ii) education and employment status of babys father; and (iii) ability of babys father to provide financial support. Teenage pregnant women living in the south-east were more likely to maintain the relationship with fathers of their babies than those living in the north-west. This was found to be statistically significant. The age, employment status and education of the babys father can influence the continuance of the partnership between the participant and of the father of her baby. The statistical difference in the maintenance of the relationship between the prospective parents may be associated with the continuing demographic and cultural characteristics of the north-west, where teenage pregnancy remains high and the south-east where the rates are low.