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Factors associated with residential placement in an assertive community treatment program
Michelle DeCoux Hampton1, Linda Chafetz
1University of California, School of Nursing, San Francisco, USA. michellehamp@yahoo.com
Issues in Mental Health Nursing
|September 28, 2002
Summary
Chronic respiratory illness predicts supervised housing for severely mentally ill (SMI) individuals in Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs. Team assignment also influences housing independence, suggesting clinical judgment plays a role.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Social Work
- Public Health
Background:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs provide essential psychosocial support for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI).
- Stable housing is a critical component of ACT, with research focusing on homelessness reduction and housing maintenance.
- Predictors of specific residential placement types within ACT remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing residential placement decisions for clients in a model Assertive Community Treatment program.
- To explore the relationship between client characteristics and the level of housing structure.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of multiple client variables within a model ACT program.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant predictors of residential placement type.
Main Results:
- Chronic respiratory illness was significantly associated with placement in supervised group homes.
- Team assignment emerged as a predictor of independent living, with one team showing higher rates.
- Clients on the independent living team exhibited better psychosocial functioning on the Multnomah Community Ability Scale.
Conclusions:
- Chronic respiratory illness and team assignment are key factors influencing residential outcomes in ACT.
- While higher psychosocial functioning was observed in one group, it did not directly predict independent placement, highlighting the role of clinical judgment.
- Further research is needed to understand the interplay of clinical assessment and client characteristics in ACT residential placement.