The life situation of people with persistent mental illness visiting day centers: a comparative study

This study compared the life situation of visitors of day centers (DC) for people with mental illness (N = 93) with a comparison group (N = 82) in respect of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, care consumption, well-being and everyday activities. The response rate was 49%, and those who declined are believed to be those with the most severe psychiatric disabilities. Most individuals were single (81%/78%) and few had children (12%/18%). The DC group had less education than the comparison group but had a friend more often. Although having their need for daily activities met, the DC group had greater unmet needs in respect of daily living in general. They less frequently reported having a psychosis and had fewer negative and more depressive symptoms. They got more housing support and general outpatient care, while the comparison group used specialized psychiatric care more frequently. The samples were equally satisfied with their care, health and well-being and found their everyday activities equally meaningful. The DC visitors formed a vulnerable group, by living single, having a low level of education and having unmet needs, and were at risk of not getting specialized psychiatric care.