| Citation: |
Smelson, D. A., Zaykowski, H., Guevermont, N., Siegfriedt, J., Sawh, L., Modzelewski, D., & Kane, V. (2016). Integrating permanent supportive housing and co-occurring disorders treatment for individuals who are homeless..
Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 12
(2),
193-201.
|
| Title: |
Integrating permanent supportive housing and co-occurring disorders treatment for individuals who are homeless. |
| Authors: |
Smelson, D. A., Zaykowski, H., Guevermont, N., Siegfriedt, J., Sawh, L., Modzelewski, D., & Kane, V. |
| Year: |
2016 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
Journal of Dual Diagnosis |
| Publisher: |
Taylor & Francis |
| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2016.1174010
|
| Full text: |
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15504263.2016.1174010
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
Not reported
|
|
Purpose:
|
Few studies have systematically integrated permanent housing, addictions, and mental health treatment into one comprehensive approach for individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness. The authors of this study examined the usefulness and preliminary outcomes of integrating supportive housing and an evidence-based co-occurring disorders intervention called "Maintaining Independence and Sobriety Through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking (MISSION)." |
|
Study sample: |
Participants of this study included 107 individuals with co-occurring disorders who were experiencing chronic homelessness in two Massachusetts inner-city and rural areas. Enrolled participants were interested in receiving permanent supportive housing along with 1 year of MISSION services. |
|
Data collection and analysis:
|
Data were collected through baseline, as well as 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments. |
|
Findings:
|
Results indicated that participants (Mage = 49.52 years, SD = 10.61) were mostly male (76.6%), Caucasian (52.3%), and unemployed (86.0%), with an average of 8.34 years (SD = 8.01) of homelessness. Participants reported problems with anxiety (75.7%) and depression (76.6%), as well as the use of alcohol (30.8%), cannabis (31.8%), and cocaine (15.9%). Nearly all participants (95.3%) were placed into permanent housing, which took on average 42.6 days from enrollment (SD = 50.09). Almost 80% of those placed were able to retain housing through the end of the study. Most of the participants (86.0%) remained in MISSION treatment until the end of the study. There were modest, yet significant, mental health symptom improvements from baseline to the end of the study. |
|
Conclusions:
|
This pilot study suggests that co-occurring disorder interventions like MISSION can be integrated with permanent supportive housing. Although this study lacked a comparison group, these findings are consistent with other studies using MISSION among homeless who did not receive permanent supportive housing. |
