Randomized controlled trial of illness management and recovery in multiple-unit supportive housing.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effects of the illness management and recovery program on mental illness and functional outcomes of persons with serious mental illness who were receiving supportive housing services.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 104 persons with serious mental illness who were assigned either to illness management classes for six months or to a waitlist control group, with follow-up assessments conducted six months posttreatment. Assessments included self-reports, nonblinded clinical ratings, and blinded interview ratings and included the domains of illness management, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, hospitalizations, and substance abuse and dependence.


RESULTS
Participants assigned to the program showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in self-reported and clinician ratings of illness management, interview-based ratings of symptoms on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and interview-based ratings of psychosocial functioning on the abbreviated Quality of Life Scale. Participants in both groups improved in self-ratings of symptom distress and had low rates of hospitalization and substance abuse over the course of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the program was effective at improving illness management and functional outcomes for persons with serious mental illness who were receiving supportive housing services.
Levitt
Aaron J
AJ
Center for Urban Community Services, 198 E. 121st St., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10035, USA. alevitt@cucs.org
Mueser
Kim T
KT
Degenova
Joe
J
Lorenzo
Julie
J
Bradford-Watt
Dawn
D
Barbosa
Adina
A
Karlin
Marlene
M
Chernick
Michael
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D019468:Disease Management; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006040:Goals; D016352:Group Homes; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population
D013287:Illicit Drugs