Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An application of statistical models in mental health research

  • Published:
The bulletin of mathematical biophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two statistical models are presented to describe the admission-discharge process of a psychiatric unit. Both models have the form of Markov processes. Common statistical terms such as length of stay in hospital, time off books, patients on books, and number of admissions are related to characteristics of the models. The models permit an assessment of the effect of studying statistical data based on cohorts of individuals rather than individuals considered separately. In addition, with refinement, it is expected that these models will permit the use of more sophisticated statistical methods in psychiatric research problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  • Brownsberger, Carl N. 1965. “Clinical Versus Statistical Assessment of Psychotherapy: A Mathematical Model of the Dilemma.”Behav Sci.,10, 421–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammer, Leonard. 1962.Outline of Psychiatry. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, D. R. and H. D. Miller. 1965.The Theory of Stochastic Processes. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Danziger, L. and G. Elmergreen. 1954. “Mathematical Theory of Periodic Relapsing Catatonia.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,16, 15–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • . 1956. “The Thyroid Pituitary Homeostatic Mechanism.”,18, 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • . 1957. “Mathematical Models of Endocrine Systems.”,19, 9–18.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, Karl W. 1966. “On Theories, Taxonomies, and Models as Communication Codes for Organizing Information.”Behav. Sci.,11, 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neufeldt, Aldred H. 1969. “A Province-Wide EDP System for Community Based Psychiatric Services.”Can. Psych. Assoc. J.,14, 135–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • . 1970. “Electronic Data Processes for Psychiatric Services: A Practical Application.”Hosp. Comm. Psych.,21, 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, Anatol. 1965. “A Note on Equivalent Mathematical Models.”Bull. Math. Biophysics,27, 161–175.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Rashevsky, N. 1954. “A Neurophysical Model of Schizophrenias and of Their Possible Treatment.”,26, 167–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1965. “Some Possible Quantitative Aspects of a Neurophysical Model of Schizophrenias.”,27, 21–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1966. “Further Studies of Some Aspects of a Neurobiophysical Model of Schizophrenia.”,28, 125–135.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Roston, Sidney. 1968. “Theory of Emotional Stress and Mental Illness.”,30, 547–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatsuoka, Maurice M. 1968. “Mathematical Models in the Behavioral and Social Sciences.”Handbook of Measurement and Assessment in Behavioral Sciences (D. K. Whitla, ed.), Don Mills, Ont.: Addison-Wesley, pp. 3–59.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal

    G. A. Whitmore

  2. Psychiatric Research Unit, University Hospital, Saskatoon

    A. H. Neufeldt

Authors
  1. G. A. Whitmore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. H. Neufeldt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors wish to acknowledge the continuing support of the Psychiatric Services Branch, Saskatchewan Department of Health and National Health Grant 607-7-129.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Whitmore, G.A., Neufeldt, A.H. An application of statistical models in mental health research. Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics 32, 563–579 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02476771

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02476771

Keywords

Search

Navigation