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Group and Organizational Involvement Among Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities in Supported Housing

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Abstract

This study examined the patterns and correlates of group and organizational involvement among persons with psychiatric disabilities using a cross-sectional, probability sample of 252 residents in supported independent housing (SIH). Groups and organizations were classified according to whether or not they have a behavioral health focus. Demographic, clinical, and service use characteristics were examined as potential predictors of membership using Poisson regression models. Findings indicated that 60% of the sample was involved in some kind of behavioral or nonbehavioral health organization. Similar to the findings from the general population, higher rates of membership were found among older persons, Blacks, those with more years of education, and those with higher incomes. Other correlates specific to the SIH sample included prior homelessness, perceived discrimination, substance abuse history, psychiatric symptoms, psychiatric diagnosis, and contact with service providers. Implications of study findings for developing intervention strategies to enhance organizational membership and for future research are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The authors express gratitude to their research partners, Robert Spencer, Raj Phatak, Michele Wexler Kempinski, and Harriet Herman, from the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services, for their efforts in making the study possible. The authors also thank Julie Tennille for coordinating the study and Michael Filoromo for compiling the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6214, USA

    Yin-Ling Irene Wong PhD & Phyllis L. Solomon PhD

  2. Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College, 300 Airdale Road, Bryn Mawr, PA, 19010-1697, USA

    Sara B. Nath PhD, MSW

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  1. Yin-Ling Irene Wong PhD
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  2. Sara B. Nath PhD, MSW
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  3. Phyllis L. Solomon PhD
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Correspondence to Yin-Ling Irene Wong PhD.

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Wong, YL.I., Nath, S.B. & Solomon, P.L. Group and Organizational Involvement Among Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities in Supported Housing. J Behav Health Serv Res 34, 151–167 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-007-9052-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-007-9052-8

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