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Community support services and functioning of the seriously mentally ill
F Baker1, D Jodrey, J Intagliata
1Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Community Mental Health Journal
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Community support services (CSS) positively impact the functioning of chronically mentally ill patients. Social support from family and friends further enhances improvements in their global functioning over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Social Work
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronically mentally ill individuals often require ongoing support.
- Community Support Services (CSS) aim to improve patient outcomes.
- Global functioning is a key indicator of treatment success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of CSS on patient functioning.
- To identify predictors of functional change in this population.
- To assess the role of social support in recovery.
Main Methods:
- A nine-month prospective study of 729 chronically mentally ill patients.
- Utilized the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) to measure functioning.
- Controlled for demographic, psychiatric, residential, and medication variables.
Main Results:
- Receiving needed CSS predicted improved client functioning on the GAS.
- This prediction remained significant after controlling for covariates.
- Adequacy of social support also predicted enhanced global functioning.
Conclusions:
- Community Support Services are vital for improving the functioning of chronically mentally ill patients.
- Social support networks play a crucial role in patient recovery and well-being.
- Interventions should consider both formal services and informal social support.