The prediction of mental health service use in residential care

The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical and psychosocial factors of residents living in psychiatric nursing homes, assess residents ' levels of mental health service utilization, and examine the factors that predict the utilization of mental health services. Data were collected fro m 200 randomly selected residents with schizophrenia living in four interme diate care facilities. Fewer than 60% of residents received mental health s ervices beyond medication and nearly one-half of the residents were readmit ted to the hospital in the course of a year. Family contact and involvement in activities were associated with mental health service utilization. Hosp ital readmission was predicted, not by substance use, but rather by not usi ng substances. There is a growing need among service providers to better id entify relevant factors that are important in treatment planning and servic e delivery. Attention to these issues may impact treatment provision and ou tcomes for persons with schizophrenia and their families.