Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

William M. McCook

Abstract

Education during recovery could impact a forensic psychiatric patient's community reintegration; however, individual education goals for patients can be difficult due to the lack of available parameters. The purpose of this study was to test whether age at first hospitalization is predictive of educational attainment among forensic psychiatric patients and to determine which ages of first hospitalization best predict 8 levels of educational attainment. Cattell's intelligence theory served as the theoretical framework for this study because mental illness requiring early hospitalization may affect education and learning. This quantitative, nonexperimental study involved a predictive design with data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information database. The sample of patients from 2011-2016 consisted of 16,639 diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder and 2,227 diagnosed with mood disorder. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated age at first hospitalization to be a predictor of educational attainment among both categories of diagnoses. Odds ratio analyses identified which ages of first hospitalization best predict 8 levels of educational attainment. Increased rates of education levels were indicated when age at first hospitalization increased. Patients were more likely to attain a high school diploma than drop out between 9th to 11th grade unless first hospitalized at age 14 or under. Based on the results from this study, completion of a general equivalency diploma or a life skills program may provide additional opportunities for independent living and employment, which can improve the lives of patients and those in the community. Therefore, this project can lead to social change by encouraging changes through the results and recommendations presented in a white paper.

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