The COSTAR Programme. 1: Improving Social Networks of the Long-Term Mentally Ill

The present study examined the socio-demographic, clinical, cognitive, social behaviour and social network characteristics of the 97 patients in contact with the COSTAR programme – a mobile treatment and case management service for the long-term mentally ill in inner-city Baltimore. Compared with sh...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of psychiatry Vol. 159; no. 2; pp. 245 - 249
Main Authors Thornicroft, Graham, Breakey, William R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.1991
RCP
Subjects
Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Baltimore
Bipolar Disorder - psychology
Bipolar Disorder - rehabilitation
Case management
Chronic Disease
Cognitive ability
Cognitive-behavioral factors
Deinstitutionalization
Demography
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Depressive Disorder - rehabilitation
Female
Home based
Humans
Hygiene
Inner city
Male
Managed Care Programs
Mental disorders
Mental Disorders - psychology
Mental Disorders - rehabilitation
Middle Aged
Mobile Health Units
Patients
Personal hygiene
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychotic Disorders - psychology
Psychotic Disorders - rehabilitation
Schizophrenia - rehabilitation
Schizophrenic Psychology
Social behavior
Social interactions
Social isolation
Social networks
Social organization
Social Support
Sociodemographics
Urban Population
Baltimore
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The present study examined the socio-demographic, clinical, cognitive, social behaviour and social network characteristics of the 97 patients in contact with the COSTAR programme – a mobile treatment and case management service for the long-term mentally ill in inner-city Baltimore. Compared with shorter-contact patients, those in contact for more than one year showed no change in symptoms, or in cognitive or global function. They did manifest improved social function, especially for slowness, personal hygiene and posturing. The long-contact group showed improvements in the quality and quantity of their social networks. Our results suggest that a home-based treatment system can help patients to reverse a vicious cycle of social isolation and to establish supportive social contacts.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.159.2.245