title: Psychosocial functioning of individuals with schizophrenia in community housing facilities and the psychiatric hospital in Zurich.
abstract: Individuals with severe mental illness frequently have difficulties in obtaining and maintaining adequate accommodation. If they are not willing or able to adapt to requirements of traditional supported housing institutions they may live in sheltered and emergency accommodation. Adequate mental health services are rarely available in these facilities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate mental health, functional and social status of individuals living in community sheltered housing facilities. A cross-sectional survey of n=338 individuals in sheltered housing compared to a sample of patients at intake in acute inpatient psychiatry (n=619) concerning clinical and social variables was carried out in the catchment area of Zurich. Matched subsamples of individuals with schizophrenia (n=168) were compared concerning functioning and impairments on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Individuals with schizophrenia in sheltered housing (25% of the residents) have significantly more problems concerning substance use, physical illness, psychopathological symptoms other than psychosis and depression, and relationships, daily activities and occupation than patients with schizophrenia at intake on an acute psychiatric ward. Community sheltered accommodation although conceptualized to prevent homelessness in the general population de facto serve as housing facilities for individuals with schizophrenia and other severe mental illness.
authors.affiliation: Department for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: matthias.jaeger@puk.zh.ch.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaeger
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric-Psychological Service, City of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Briner
authors.affiliation: Department for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kawohl
authors.affiliation: Department for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seifritz
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric-Psychological Service, City of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baumgartner-Nietlisbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: Epidemiology; Functional impairment; Quality of care; Social psychiatry; Supported housing