Prospective study of clinical and social outcome of stay in small group homes for people with mental illness.

BACKGROUND

Small group homes operating according to the principles of supported housing have, during the past five years, become a cornerstone of the housing services for the long-term mentally ill in Copenhagen.

METHOD

During a 2.5-year period, 47 long-term mentally ill persons were examined at the time of entry to a group home programme. Residents' psychopathology, social integration, mastery and quality of life were measured by structured interviews, including the Present State Examination (PSE-10); and their social functioning was recorded by interview with the staff. Forty-four of the residents were re-examined at follow-up after a mean of 1.1 years using the same instruments. Data on hospitalisation were obtained through the Danish Psychiatric Case Register.

RESULTS

Eighty-three per cent of the residents remained in the programme during the first year. They showed a significant improvement in subjective quality of life, PSE total score, social integration, functioning and hospitalisation index. The number of reciprocal supportive contacts in the social network increased. Lower baseline PSE total score was associated with adherence to the programme, and the improvement in quality of life during their stay was predicted by reduction in symptoms and improvement in social integration.

CONCLUSIONS

A rehabilitation strategy of supplementing standard psychiatric treatment with a programme of small supportive group homes improves the quality of life, psychosocial functioning and community tenure of the long-term mentally ill.