[Homeless persons residing in shelters in the county of Funen I. Psychosocial characteristics and need of treatment].
In the County of Funen (population 460,000) 120 homeless people resided in shelters for homeless people during week 49, 1996. Of these homeless persons, 94 (or 78%) were examined using ICD-10 and the Addiction Severity Index. Ninety percent were men, 90% were aged 20-59 years, 98% were unmarried or separated/divorced. Seventy-one percent had lived alone during the past three years, only 2% were employed, and sources of income for 83% were public assistance or disability pensions. The population of homeless people was divided into three groups: 1) Psychoses were found in 13 cases or 14%--schizophrenia (4%), paranoid psychosis (4%) and affective disorder (5%). About 2/3 had double disorder, psychosis plus substance abuse. 2) Sixty-four or 68% were non-psychotic homeless people, who had alcohol/substance abuse (53 or 83%) and/or personality disorder (57 or 89%). 3) Seventeen or 18% had no mental illness. About 60% had been sentenced to prison at least once. About 20% needed psychiatric treatment.
Thomsen
R L
RL
Psykiatrisk afdeling P, Odense Universitetshospital.
Balsløv
K D
KD
Benjaminsen
S E
SE
Petersen
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011632:Public Assistance; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy