TY - JOUR
T1 - Decreasing psychiatric symptoms by increasing choice in services for adults with histories of homelessness
AU - Greenwood, Ronni Michelle
AU - Schaefer-McDaniel, Nicole J.
AU - Winkel, Gary
AU - Tsemberis, Sam J.
PY - 2005/12
Y1 - 2005/12
N2 - Despite the increase in consumer-driven interventions for homeless and mentally ill individuals, there is little evidence that these programs enhance psychological outcomes. This study followed 197 homeless and mentally ill adults who were randomized into one of two conditions: a consumer-driven "Housing First" program or "treatment as usual" requiring psychiatric treatment and sobriety before housing. Proportion of time homeless, perceived choice, mastery, and psychiatric symptoms were measured at six time points. Results indicate a direct relationship between Housing First and decreased homelessness and increased perceived choice; the effect of choice on psychiatric symptoms was partially mediated by mastery. The strong and inverse relationship between perceived choice and psychiatric symptoms supports expansion of programs that increase consumer choice, thereby enhancing mastery and decreasing psychiatric symptoms.
AB - Despite the increase in consumer-driven interventions for homeless and mentally ill individuals, there is little evidence that these programs enhance psychological outcomes. This study followed 197 homeless and mentally ill adults who were randomized into one of two conditions: a consumer-driven "Housing First" program or "treatment as usual" requiring psychiatric treatment and sobriety before housing. Proportion of time homeless, perceived choice, mastery, and psychiatric symptoms were measured at six time points. Results indicate a direct relationship between Housing First and decreased homelessness and increased perceived choice; the effect of choice on psychiatric symptoms was partially mediated by mastery. The strong and inverse relationship between perceived choice and psychiatric symptoms supports expansion of programs that increase consumer choice, thereby enhancing mastery and decreasing psychiatric symptoms.
KW - Choice
KW - Homelessness
KW - Psychiatric disabilities
KW - Treatment services
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=30044444550&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10464-005-8617-z
DO - 10.1007/s10464-005-8617-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 16389497
AN - SCOPUS:30044444550
SN - 0091-0562
VL - 36
SP - 223
EP - 238
JO - American Journal of Community Psychology
JF - American Journal of Community Psychology
IS - 3-4
ER -
