[Threatened homelessness and mental disorders. Prevalence and influencing factors in populations at risk].

Background: This study aims to assess the psychiatric morbidity of persons at risk of homelessness and to analyze correlations and risk factors between homelessness and mental disorders.

Methods: The sample included 101 citizens of Mannheim, Germany, who were immediately threatened by eviction. Mental disorders were diagnosed using a standardized test, and other factors were also assessed.

Alcoholism and somatic comorbidity among homeless people in Mannheim, Germany.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of alcoholism and somatic codisorders of homeless people.

Design: Epidemiological cross-sectional field study in a sample of the homeless in the area.

Setting: The study was conducted from 1997 to 1999 in the inner-city area of Mannheim, Germany (approximately 320 000 inhabitants).

Needs for mental health care and service provision in single homeless people.

Background: Specific problems in sampling methodology, case-finding strategies and a standardised needs assessment in mentally ill homeless people have contributed to their being neglected as a mental health care clientele.

Method: We assessed a representative sample of homeless people (n=102) in the highly industrialised city of Mannheim (Germany) regarding their prevalence of mental disorders (using the SCID) and their needs for mental health care (using the NCA).

Results: We found high prevalences, with 68.

[How do mentally ill homeless persons evaluate their quality of life].

Besides pronounced deficiencies in psychiatric research concerning homeless mentally ill in Germany, studies concerned with the quality of life of homeless mentally ill were missing until now. This study reveals in a representative sample of 102 homeless people from the City of Mannheim, Germany that--compared to the homeless without psychiatric disorders of the sample--the mentally ill homeless (prevalence 68.6%) have significantly different subjective views of their quality of life regarding the items "state of health", "physical capabilities" and "support from others".