Research
Evaluation and research of Fountain House and the Clubhouse model are centered in the Research Unit. Fountain House is developing relationships with universities and research institutes to partner in evidence-based research of the Clubhouse model. Primary areas of focus are the effectiveness of the Clubhouse in assisting members
- to acquire and sustain competitive employment
- to complete their personal educational goals
- to integrate aspects of a healthier lifestyle into their daily habits and assessment of the impact of those changes on long-term health
- to develop social networks as a measure of social inclusion
- to thrive in the variety of living situations offered within the community
The Research Unit is currently involved with several projects, in which members and staff work together, to evaluate the Fountain House community. This information provides good feedback to our members, staff, and Board and enables us to strengthen our programs to better meet the needs of our membership.
The below abstracted article published in Psychiatric Services (2006) describes a research study carried out by Fountain House. A second article detailing further results is forthcoming.
A Comparison of Competitive Employment Outcomes for the Clubhouse and PACT Models
Andrew D. Schonebaum, M.A., L.M.S.W., Jeremy K. Boyd, Ph.D. and Kenneth J. Dudek, M.S.W.
OBJECTIVE: This study determined whether the clubhouse model of community support and psychiatric rehabilitation can produce competitive employment outcomes that are comparable or superior to those of the Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) model.
METHODS: This longitudinal study followed a group of 170 individuals with severe mental illness who were randomly assigned either to the experimental design, a clubhouse program (N=86), or to the control design, a PACT team (N=84). Study participants were tracked for 30 months, and employment outcome data were collected.
RESULTS: After 30 months, 72 clubhouse and 76 PACT participants remained active in the project. After 30 months, 74 percent of PACT participants and 60 percent of clubhouse participants had been placed in at least one job. The average clubhouse participant worked 21.8 weeks per job and earned $7.38 per hour, whereas the average PACT participant worked 13.1 weeks per job and earned $6.30 per hour.
CONCLUSIONS: Participants from both the PACT and clubhouse models achieved high employment levels, with no significant differences in weekly employment or 30-month job placement rates over the course of the study. During this time, clubhouse participants earned significantly higher wages and remained competitively employed for significantly more weeks per job than PACT participants.
For the full article click here: http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/57/10/1416
For a current listing of Clubhouse research articles or for more information about the Program for Clubhouse Research at University of Massachusetts Medical School, click here http://www.iccd.org/recent_research.html
