Protected Housing for Chronic Mental Patients (1): Epidemiological profile, Symptoms, Quality of life and Self-esteem in two samples

Abstract

In this study the psychopathology symptoms, the quality of life and the self- esteem of two samples of patient mental chronic are compared, some housed in protected lodgings and others while waiting for making it. It is also described the epidemic profile of the patients. This type of lodgings is presented for some decades like the alternative to the traditional psychiatric hospitals that worked in the practice as residential resources. Their utility has been considered from different points of view, at clinical, assistance, functional and economic level. Contrary to other discoveries, in our study a better quality of the patients' life is not appreciated that live in this lodgings in front of those that don't make it. Neither they are better psychopathologically neither they have bigger self-esteem. Methodological modifications are suggested in the design to control certain variables that can influence in the results.