Comparability and representativeness of clinical homeless, community homeless, and domiciled clinic samples: physical and mental health, substance use, and health services utilization.

摘要: Evaluating the representativeness of homeless samples is important for generalizing research findings on and designing interventions targeting their health needs. The present study contrasts domiciled free-clinic users (216 [132 men, 84 women], 212 [102 110 women]) 531 community persons (388 143 women) latent variables representing substance use, mental physical health, appearance, life satisfaction, services utilization (HSU). Homeless clinic patients equalled sample in abuse psychological problems but exceeded HSU cleanliness. reported more abuse, poorer greater illness HSU, less cleanliness, lower satisfaction than patients. Relationships among are reported, implications concerning needs discussed.