In this article the data have been described of a second investigation in regard to chronic mental patients about their decisions to stay in a psychiatric hospital for ever or for a certain time. The decisions of their psychiatrists and nurses to discharge them or not, have been studied as well. The first research project, about three years ago, concerned the same questions. What could be the reason, why fourty mental patients, divided in groups of ten over four psychiatric hospitals, with a duration of stay of two to five years, were still living there? Which reasons did they have to decide to stay? Did they like to stay for ever and why? Or did they have the intention to leave and why did they take that decisions?

Which reasons did their psychiatrists and nurses have to decide wether a discharge of the hospital was possible or not?

In 1987 an article had been written in this journal about the results of the first research project. The data of the second one on the same patients have been described in this article. Similarities and differences could be stated.