The role of psychosocial characteristics in premature discharge from residential services for homeless veterans.

Abstract

Residential programs can improve the lives of homeless individuals, but many participants leave prematurely. Certain characteristics evident upon admission may help to identify those at greatest risk of early discharge. The records of 197 unique admissions to a homeless veterans program were reviewed. Subjects completed a psychosocial assessment, a diagnostic interview, and depression and alcohol use severity screenings. Alcohol use severity, days of abstinence, and an antisocial behavior disorder were significant independent predictors of type of discharge. The overall model accounted for 14.5% of the variance in type of discharge. Targeted interventions may be needed to help veterans at risk of premature discharge to remain engaged in treatment and to assist them in the transition back to the community.

Prevalence and nature of criminal offending in a national sample of veterans in VA substance use treatment prior to the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom conflicts.

“…The impact that criminal offending may have on treatment is complicated. Legal involvement has been associated with increased problems with mental health, social support (Theriot & Segal, 2005), physical health (Claassen, Larkin, Hodges, & Field, 2007), and may be the single strongest predictor of unfavorable discharge from homeless services (Sussner, Kline, Smelson, Losonczy, & Salvatore, 2008). Once involved in SUD treatment, legal involvement adversely impacts care processes and outcomes (Villafranca, McKellar, Trafton, & Humphreys, 2006).…”

Effects of childhood abuse on relapse in a recently homeless substance-dependent veteran population.

“…Rates from homeless individuals have been found to be between 38% for veterans (LePage et al, 2005) and 77% for chronic homeless populations (Mares, Greenberg, & Rosenheck, 2008). Perhaps not surprising, depression tended to be the most prevalent diagnosis, with rates generally found around 55% in veteran mentally ill populations (Mares et al, 2008; Sussner, Kline, Smelson, Losonczy, & Salvatore, 2008). However, high rates of psychotic and bipolar disorders have also been found—27% and 19%, respectively—in chronic mental health populations (Mares et al, 2008).…”