title: Trauma symptoms of individuals with mental illness at risk for homelessness participating in a life skills intervention.
abstract: This study investigated 1) trauma symptom changes following the implementation of a life skills intervention; 2) the relationship between demographic characteristics, cognitive functioning, life skill knowledge and changes in trauma symptoms; and 3) predictive factors of trauma symptoms during housing transitions. Participants (N=72) enrolled in intervention modules to increase residential stability (room and self-care, money management, nutrition management or safe community participation), completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, ACLS-2000 and a Practical Skills Test at baseline, post-intervention and 3 and 6 months later to examine differences in trauma symptoms and treatment outcomes. Trauma symptoms were highest at baseline and decreased significantly for most participants over time. For a subgroup of females experiencing abuse and individuals who were homeless less than 1 year, there was an increase in symptoms at 3 months post-intervention (highest rate of housing transition). This small convenience sample represents a limited geographic area. Replication of the study with larger groups for generalization, and further investigation into the specific impact of symptoms on function were recommended for future research.
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA. helfrich@bu.edu.
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Helfrich
authors.forename: Christine Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Dara V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PTSD; homelessness; independent living skills; mentally ill persons