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Study Name
Drop-In Center versus Outpatient Treatment
Study Sharepoint ID
28647.01R
Evaluation name
Evaluation of Three Treatment Programs for Homeless Mentally Ill People
Intervention (standard name)
Drop-in Center (as compared with Outpatient Treatment)
Strength of Evidence Tag
Low
Reason for the Rating

This study received a low study quality rating because it is a high-attrition randomized controlled trial that does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the intervention and comparison groups.

This study received a low study quality rating because it is a high-attrition randomized controlled trial that does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the intervention and comparison groups.

Design
Randomized controlled trial
Services
Health services
Physical health services
Supportive services
Populations targeted
Homelessness
Mental illness
Settings in which the intervention was studied
Urban only

Subgroups

Subgroup data - Female
No
Subgroup data - Male
No
Subgroup data - White
No
Subgroup data - Black
No
Percent mentally ill
100.00
Percent homeless
100.00
Percent female
42.00
Percent Male
58.00
Percent White not Hispanic
47.50
Percent another race
52.50
Mean age
33.70
Group formation formatted

From 1988 to 1989, researchers initially screened 238 individuals experiencing homelessness for participation in the project, and 178 met the following selection criteria: a severe psychiatric disorder, no history of violent behavior, and an intention to stay in the St. Louis area for the duration of the study. Researchers initially assigned 50 participants to each of three conditions with equal probabilities of assignment. We review two of these conditions here. However, because several participants refused or dropped out between study enrollment and the beginning of the intervention, researchers identified additional eligible participants and randomly assigned them to one of the conditions. Because more clients dropped out in certain conditions than in others, the final participant sample varied in size across conditions. Sixty-two participants were ultimately assigned to the intervention condition, and 64 were assigned to the comparison condition reviewed here. Fifty-two participants were assigned to a third condition that we do not review.

Study timing formatted

The intervention was studied over 12 months spanning 1988 to 1989.

Implementing organization formatted

Missouri Department of Mental Health and public daytime drop-in centers in St. Louis

Treatment condition formatted

The intervention condition was assignment to one of two drop-in centers (one exclusive to women, one for both genders) for people with a mental illness who were also experiencing homelessness. Drop-in centers provided daytime shelter, food, clothing, showers, recreational activities, and referrals to social services from on-site social workers.

Comparison condition formatted

The comparison condition was traditional outpatient treatment provided by a state mental health clinic. The outpatient clinic provided psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and assistance with obtaining social services from clinicians and other administrative staff.

Mandatory services formatted

None

Setting details formatted

The study took place in St. Louis, MO. Intervention services were provided at a mental health clinic at the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Comparison services were provided by two daytime drop-in centers for homeless persons with a mental illness.

Delivered by public or private entity?
Public
Secondary domains examined

Client satisfaction; Days homeless; Psychiatric symptoms; Self esteem; Alienation; Interpersonal adjustment; Alcohol consumption

Earliest publication year
1992
Most recent publication year
1992
Manuscripts
28647
SRG File Path
http://example.com
Check edits flag
No
Primary Service
Supportive services
Subgroup data - Hispanic
No