An empirical typology of the chronically mentally ill

This paper describes the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics of a sample of chronically mentally ill clients at a large comprehensive community mental health center. Utilizing cluster analytic procedures, five basic types of chronically mentally ill clients are empirically identified. The differential pattern of psychosocial characteristics associated with each type is explored and the distinctive profile of each type is delineated. Finally, the implications of this typology for the design of community support treatment programs and allocation of increasingly scarce resources are presented.