DESCRIBING THE HOMELESS MENTALLY-ILL - CLUSTER-ANALYSIS RESULTS

Presented descriptive data on a group of homeless, mentally ill indivi duals (N = 108) served by a two-site demonstration project, funded by NIMH. Comparing results with those from other studies of this populati on produced some differences and some similarities. Cluster analysis t echniques were applied to the data, producing a 4-group solution. Data validating the cluster solution are presented. It is suggested that t he cluster results provide a more meaningful and useful method of unde rstanding the descriptive data. Results suggest that while the populat ion of individuals served as homeless and mentally ill is quite hetero geneous, many have well-developed functioning skills - only one cluste r, making up 35.2% of the sample, fits the stereotype of the aggressiv e, psychotic individual with skill deficits in many areas. Further dis cussion is presented concerning the implications of the cluster analys is results for demonstrating contextual effects and thus better interp reting research results from other studies and assisting in future ser vices planning.