TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk factors for homelessness among schizophrenic men
T2 - A case-control study
AU - Caton, C. L.M.
AU - Shrout, P. E.
AU - Eagle, P. F.
AU - Opler, L. A.
AU - Felix, A.
AU - Dominguez, B.
PY - 1994
Y1 - 1994
N2 - Objectives. To identify risk factors for homelessness among the severely mentally ill, we conducted a case-control study of 100 indigent schizophrenic men meeting criteria for literal homelessness and 100 such men with no homeless history. Methods. Subjects were recruited from shelter, clinic, and inpatient psychiatric programs in Upper Manhattan. Clinical interviewers employed standardized research instruments to probe three domains of risk factors: severity of mental illness, family background, and prior mental health service use. Results. Homeless subjects showed significantly higher levels of positive symptoms, higher rates of a concurrent diagnosis of drug abuse, and higher rates of antisocial personality disorder. Homeless subjects experienced greater disorganization in family settings from birth to 18 years and less adequate current family support. Fewer homeless subjects than subjects in the never-homeless comparison group had a long-term therapist. These differences remained when demographic variables were adjusted statistically. Conclusions. Homeless schizophrenic men differed from their domiciled counterparts in all three domains we investigated; family background, nature of illness, and service use history. Findings are discussed in relation to policy and programs for the severely mentally ill.
AB - Objectives. To identify risk factors for homelessness among the severely mentally ill, we conducted a case-control study of 100 indigent schizophrenic men meeting criteria for literal homelessness and 100 such men with no homeless history. Methods. Subjects were recruited from shelter, clinic, and inpatient psychiatric programs in Upper Manhattan. Clinical interviewers employed standardized research instruments to probe three domains of risk factors: severity of mental illness, family background, and prior mental health service use. Results. Homeless subjects showed significantly higher levels of positive symptoms, higher rates of a concurrent diagnosis of drug abuse, and higher rates of antisocial personality disorder. Homeless subjects experienced greater disorganization in family settings from birth to 18 years and less adequate current family support. Fewer homeless subjects than subjects in the never-homeless comparison group had a long-term therapist. These differences remained when demographic variables were adjusted statistically. Conclusions. Homeless schizophrenic men differed from their domiciled counterparts in all three domains we investigated; family background, nature of illness, and service use history. Findings are discussed in relation to policy and programs for the severely mentally ill.
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U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.84.2.265
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.84.2.265
M3 - Article
C2 - 8296951
AN - SCOPUS:0028286886
SN - 0090-0036
VL - 84
SP - 265
EP - 270
JO - American journal of public health
JF - American journal of public health
IS - 2
ER -