SMALL-GROUP HOMES FOR THE LONG-TERM MENTALLY-ILL - CLINICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESIDENTS

In a prospective study of 25 long-term mentally ill residents of small group homes in Copenhagen, interviews were carried out by the time th e patients moved into the group homes and at follow-up 2-3 years later . The cohort was examined by means of the Schedule for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms, the Global Assessment Scale, Social Integration score, and a structured quality of life interview, to det ermine outcome and predictors for continuous stay in the group homes. The residents who remained in the group homes during the follow-up per iod showed a significantly higher quality of life score and less affec tive blunting already at base line than the residents who later moved out. At follow-up the residents who had remained in the group homes sh owed a significantly higher Social Integration score and perceived sen se of mastery. Aspects of quality of life were also superior in the co ntinuous-stay residents. The findings are discussed in terms of the im plications for assignment to residential care facilities.