SynopsisThis study assessed the inter-relations of socio-demographic, resource and policy factors with standardized measures of short-term psychiatric bed-use in 42 counties of Atlantic Canada. The policy factor made up two-thirds of the total variability (61%) accounted for among males, and nearly one-half of the 47% accounted for among females. An accurate assessment of in-patient resource needs is seen as resulting from intertwining morbidity surveys with utilization studies.