The efficacy of a psychiatric halfway house: a study of hospital recidivism and global outcome measure

Abstract

The authors investigated the post-halfway house outcome of a sample of 41 former residents of the halfway house of the Department of Psychiatry, Athens University. Two criteria were used: hospital recidivism and global ratings of outcome (which was assessed on the basis of three parameters: rehospitalization, employment and independent living). Mean duration from the time of departure was 32 months (range: 8-52 months). Within this period good outcome and non-recidivism were related with compliance to pharmacotherapy. Most recidivists also had a shorter stay in the halfway house and cases with successful outcome tended to be evaluated higher on the "Behaviour in Halfway House Scale" at the end of the residency.