title: The relationship between housing characteristics, emotional well-being and the personal empowerment of psychiatric consumer/survivors.
abstract: In this research, we examine the relationships between the housing characteristics and dimensions of community adaptation for 107 psychiatric consumer/survivors. Hypotheses about which housing characteristics best predict which dimensions of adaptation were made based on previous research and theory. Using a longitudinal research design, we found, after controlling for demographic variables and prior adaptation, that the number of living companions, housing concerns, and having a private room all significantly predicted different dimensions of community adaptation. The findings partially support our theoretical expectations and illuminate the relationship between physical, social and organizational aspects of community-based housing and the adaptation of psychiatric consumer/survivors. We discuss the implications of the results for policy and practice in providing housing for this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walsh-Bowers
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric