Social Inclusion of People With Severe Mental Illness Living in Community Housing Programs

Objective

The authors investigated levels of social inclusion among service users of two types of psychiatric community housing programs in the Netherlands.

Methods

A large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted that included service users of community housing programs (N=255) and their key workers (N=75). Data on social inclusion—participating in activities, receiving and making visits, and vocational participation—were collected through a service user diary. Univariate regression analyses were performed with the social inclusion variables as the dependent variables and type of housing program (supported independent living versus residential care) as the independent variable.

Results

Service users living independently were more likely to feel socially included, in terms of activities and visits, than residents. Type of housing program was not associated with vocational participation.

Conclusions

Although service users living independently were more likely than residents to be socially included, their vocational participation was similar to that of residents. It seems that for both groups of service user, it is important to improve the availability of vocational interventions or programs.