Evaluating professionally operated and self-help programs for the seriously mentally ill.
Reviewed a study by Bond et al. (1990) that evaluates assertive community treatment (ACT), an intensive community-based program for the seriously mentally ill. Such programs have been developed at a rapid pace in recent years but lack extensive research support. This randomized study supports the effectiveness of ACT and is a significant contribution to the mixed findings from the existing literature. However, its methodological flaws include (a) differential dropout from the ACT and comparison groups, (b) a relatively short follow-up period (12 months), and (c) limitations of the ACT intervention which prevents rehospitalization but lacks impact in other domains (e.g., social relationships, housing stability, employment). Self-help programs, poorly represented by the comparison group in this research, may offer the sorts of societal niches required by the mentally ill. Further research, giving such programs a "fair shake" against professionally controlled programs, is sorely needed.
Toro
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Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Buffalo 14260.
D001242:Assertiveness; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010358:Patient Participation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design