Measuring the impact of housing on people with schizophrenia

Abstract

Review of the available literature, from various countries, on housing
options indicates that, for people with a mental illness, boarding houses are
the least desirable type of community accommodation and that living in their
own home is the most desirable type of accommodation. The present research
project provides a more in-depth examination of people with schizophrenia
and the impact of living in their own home compared to living in a boarding
house. In this Australian study there were 3231 subjects, 3033 who were living
in their own homes and 201 living in boarding house accommodation. The study
used two instruments from the Mental Health Classification and Service Cost
Project, specifically the Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale, which is a
measure
of current symptoms, and a shortened version of the Life Skills Profile, which
measures global level of functioning. Results indicated that while there were no
differences in the level of psychiatric symptoms experienced, people living in
boarding houses had less access to social support, meaningful activities and
work;
they also had a significantly lower level of global functioning.These findings
contradict the conventional wisdom that people with schizophrenia resort to
living in boarding houses because of their level of disability and highlights
an area of potential intervention for community health services.