Implementation and evaluation of a token economy program in a hospital-based transitional living community.
Item
-
Title
-
Implementation and evaluation of a token economy program in a hospital-based transitional living community.
-
Identifier
-
AAI9830697
-
identifier
-
9830697
-
Creator
-
Cuoco, Louis F.
-
Contributor
-
Adviser: Irwin Epstein
-
Date
-
1998
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
Social Work | Health Sciences, Mental Health | Health Sciences, Rehabilitation and Therapy | Sociology, Public and Social Welfare
-
Abstract
-
The object of this study was to describe and evaluate the impact of a program innovation on the clients of an established project for the homeless chronic mentally ill men. The program, a transitional living community, provided its clientele with a full range of psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and case management services. The introduction of the Token Economy Program (TEP) was an attempt at enhancing the program's efficacy and reducing the clients' length of stay.;The author describes the process of introducing to staff elements of a behavioral technology as a supplemental tool to the eclectic approach of the program. Demographic, and diagnostic data were collected on all clients admitted to the program. Three self report symptom scales were utilized first at baseline, and then at either the time of discharge or at the end of the six-month study period. Finally, token earnings were recorded for each of the clients during the study period and analyzed in relation to the diagnostic, demographic, length of stay, and symptom reductions achieved. Diagnostic, demographic and length of stay data from a previous cohort of program clients are also examined.;Symptom scores improved for all clients participating in the TEP. However, the introduction of the TEP did not reduce the time the clients required to complete the program.;A change in the diagnostic and demographic profile with regard to substance use, and criminality between the first TLC cohort and the TEP group was noted, playing a significant role in achieving an appropriate and timely discharge. Furthermore, conclusions concerning the applicability of a modified TEP to subgroups within this client sample are drawn.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
D.S.W.
