title: Psychiatric treatment of the homeless in a group-based therapeutic community: a preliminary field investigation.
abstract: This preliminary study investigated the effectiveness of a group-based therapeutic community for the homeless. Thirty-seven individuals residing at a homeless shelter participating in a therapeutic community were assessed across time on several variables: psychiatric symptoms, social functioning, and substance abuse. Significant initial improvements in overall distress, psychiatric symptoms, and substance abuse were found. Improvements in social functioning were exhibited in the therapeutic community participants after six months.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, USA. l.m.mccrecken@worldnet.att.net
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.forename: Melissa P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group