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Outcomes from a Therapeutic Community for Homeless Addicted Mothers and Their Children

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Abstract

A women's therapeutic community (TC) designed to prevent homelessness was evaluated using a quasi-experimental process. Propensity analysis selected comparable experimental (E) and comparison (C) participants. Significant improvements were found for the E group at the domain level, both in “psychological” dysfunction on symptoms (e.g., depression), and in “health,” including ratings of health and adherence to medication regimens. No significant difference was found at the domain level for “parenting” or “housing stabilization,” but specific outcomes did differ. For example, a greater number of children resided with the E group mothers who also assumed financial responsibility for more of their children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Integration of Research and Practice (CIRP), National Development & Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI), 71 W 23 Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY, 10024

    Stanley Sacks

  2. Center for the Integration of Research and Practice (CIRP), National Development & Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI), USA

    JoAnn Y. Sacks, Karen McKendrick & Frank S. Pearson

  3. University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worchester, MA

    Steve Banks

  4. Gaudenzia, Inc, Norristown, PA

    Michael Harle

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  1. Stanley Sacks
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  2. JoAnn Y. Sacks
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  3. Karen McKendrick
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  4. Frank S. Pearson
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  5. Steve Banks
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  6. Michael Harle
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Correspondence to Stanley Sacks.

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Sacks, S., Sacks, J.Y., McKendrick, K. et al. Outcomes from a Therapeutic Community for Homeless Addicted Mothers and Their Children. Adm Policy Ment Health 31, 313–338 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APIH.0000028895.78151.88

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APIH.0000028895.78151.88

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