Pretorius, TyroneHashim, Shereen B2023-06-082026-06-102023-06-082026-06-101996https://hdl.handle.net/10566/24197Magister Psychologiae - MPsychThis study provides a descriptive profile of psychiatric patients who had gone ‘Absent Without Leave'(AWOL) from Lentegeur Hospital over an 8-month period from April to November 1992. The clinical sample comprised 93 in-patients (83 males, l0 females) ranging in age from 14-57 years. A survey was conducted in order to gather standardized information. Results revealed that the majority of patients who had gone AWOL were young, single, unemployed, urban males with a low level of education. Most of them had been admitted involuntarily, and sported a history of several previous admissions coupled with a history of AWOL. Many had requested discharge prior to leaving, whilst only a few were due for discharge. The Police were more often than not, involved in returning these patients to hospital.enAbsent Without Leave (AWOL)Lentegeur HospitalMental illnessMentally ill patientsSouth AfricaUniversity of the Western Cape