PREDICTORS OF HOMELESS VETERANS IRREGULAR DISCHARGE STATUS FROM A DOMICILIARY CARE PROGRAM

This study addresses the relationship of homeless veterans' discharge status from a domiciliary care program to biopsychosocial characterist ics presented at admission into the program. Hypotheses were that youn ger age, less education, and substance abuse or psychiatric disorder w ould predict an irregular discharge. Research participants were 367 ho meless male veterans who had been admitted to a domiciliary care progr am at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center for treatme nt of medical, psychiatric, or substance disorders. Status of veterans ' program discharge (regular or irregular) served as the outcome measu re. Logistic regression analysis revealed that irregular discharge fro m the program was more likely among veterans who were black, who had p oor employment histories, or who had problems with alcohol. Results ar e discussed in light of the need to maintain homeless veterans in trea tment programs so that they can achieve maximum benefit from available programs.