Evaluation of treatment programs for persons with severe mental illness: moderator and mediator effects.

This study evaluated several statistical models for estimating treatment effects in a randomized, longitudinal experiment comparing assertive community treatment (ACT) versus brokered case management (BCM). In addition, mediator and moderator analyses were conducted. The ACT clients had improved outcomes in terms of housing and psychiatric symptoms than BCM clients.

Moderators and mediators of client satisfaction in case management programs for clients with severe mental illness.

This randomized experiment first determined that clients with severe mental illness who received Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) were more satisfied with their treatment program than were clients in a brokered case management program (BCM). Eight demographic and diagnostic variables were examined as potential moderators of the treatment effect. Only one of the eight varables, diagnosis of depression, interacted with treatment condition to effect client satisfaction.

Direct reports of motivation for task performance levels: some construct-related evidence.

The validity of direct self-reports of motivational force for task performance levels was examined in three studies. Such measures have been used as true-scorelike criteria for computed measures of force and have advantages as measures in their own right. Results suggested that simple, direct self-reports should be useful in some research settings, but their validity as assessments of motivational force per se may be influenced by both wording and context.

The impact of assertive community treatment on the social relationships of people who are homeless and mentally ill.

Two randomized experiments compared the effectiveness of the assertive community treatment (ACT) team against other treatments (outpatient therapy, drop-in center, and brokered case management) in improving the social relationships of individuals who were both homeless and suffered from severe and persistent mental illness. In both studies clients assigned to ACT teams reported having more professionals in their social networks than clients assigned to the other treatments. Clients did not report significant differences between treatment conditions on most of the other social relationship dimensions.

Are life vests worn? A multiregional observational study of personal flotation device use in small boats.

Objective: Although life vest use is thought to prevent drowning, their use by boaters has not been described. This study sought to determine the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) in small boats.

Methods: Boaters were observed between April and June 1995 in Washington and Oregon and classified by their age, gender, PFD use, and boat type.