Homeless mentally ill veterans: race, service use, and treatment outcomes.

Comparisons of service use and treatment outcomes for 145 black and 236 white homeless veterans with mental disorders showed few differences. A greater improvement in psychiatric symptoms and alcohol problems among white than black veterans did not hold true when black veterans had participated in the residential treatment component of the program. The implications of the findings for the successful treatment of homeless black veterans are discussed.

Race in the treatment of homeless mentally ill veterans.

A multi-site descriptive outcome study examined differences between black and white veterans in admission characteristics, program participation, and outcomes following an episode of treatment in a Veterans Affairs residential program for homeless veterans with psychiatric and substance abuse problems. Admission, discharge, and 6-month and 12-month postdischarge follow-up data were collected on 119 black and 144 white veterans admitted to the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program at three sites. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to identify differences between racial groups at admission.

Mental health status and community adjustment after treatment in a residential treatment program for homeless veterans.

Objective: An uncontrolled outcome study was conducted to examine clinical improvement and the relationship of psychiatric and substance abuse problems, community adjustment, and housing status among homeless veterans who participated in a multisite residential treatment program.

Method: The study was performed at three U.S.

Combat stress, psychosocial adjustment, and service use among homeless Vietnam veterans.

Clinical data were gathered on 627 homeless Vietnam veterans evaluated in a Department of Veterans Affairs clinical program for homeless mentally ill veterans. More than two-fifths (43 percent) of the 627 veterans showed evidence of combat stress that was associated with more severe psychiatric and substance abuse problems, although not with greater social dysfunction. In comparison with Vietnam veterans assessed in a national epidemiological study, homeless veterans were severely socially and vocationally dysfunctional.