Logo image
Back
Mental health hospitalization and readmission in autistic adults in a national U.S. sample
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Mental health hospitalization and readmission in autistic adults in a national U.S. sample

Jessica E Rast, Joseph Wright, Samuelle Voltaire, Tamara Garfield and Anne M Roux
Research in Autism, v 124, 202582
Jun 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202582
Featured in Collection :   Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202582View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2025CC BY V4.0,  Open

Abstract

Mental health hospitalization Readmission Autism Adults Autism Mental Health Services
Objective The objectives of this study were to, 1) estimate U.S. national rates of mental health hospitalization (MHH) and all-cause readmission, and 2) explore characteristics associated with readmissions for autistic and non-autistic adults. Methods This study used the National Readmission Database (NRD) 2019 to examine 30-day all-cause readmissions following MHH in adults with autism, intellectual disability, ADHD, and mental health conditions. Analysis estimated rates of MHH by group, rates and odds of readmission, and factors associated with readmission. Results More than one-third (36 %) of all admissions for autistic adults in 2019 were MHH, with schizophrenia the most common reason. Of all MHH index events in autistic adults, 17 % had a 30-day all-cause readmission. Readmissions were more common in autistic adults with ID (25 %) than in autistic adults without ID (15 %). Readmission was also slightly more common in female autistic adults (20 %) than male autistic adults (16 %), and autistic females had greater odds of readmission (OR 1.30, 95 % CI 1.09, 1.55) than autistic males, which was not true in non-autistic adults. Initial admission for schizophrenia was associated with increased odds of readmission for all groups (OR 1.37, 95 % CI 1.32, 1.42). Conclusions The complexity of mental health conditions and their care in autistic adults underscores the urgent need for accessible and tailored mental health care services. Addressing these challenges will require collaborative efforts across healthcare sectors to create comprehensive, inclusive, and person-centered approaches to mental health care delivery for autistic adults across often disjointed service sectors.

Metrics

10 Record Views
1 citations in Web of Science

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Web of Science research areas
Education, Special
Psychiatry
Psychology, Developmental
Rehabilitation

Expert Quote   20 Jul 2025

MD India (Colleen Fleiss)
Logo image