Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Αντιμετώπιση Εξαρτήσεων-ΕξαρτησιολογίαLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Supervisors info:
Τζαβέλλας Ηλίας, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Θωμάς Παπαρρηγόπουλος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Καλλιόπη Τριανταφύλλου, Διδάκτωρ, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Ψυχοπαθολογικά συμπτώματα αστέγων και μη αστέγων ουσιοεξαρτημένων χρηστών υπαγόμενων σε πρόγραμμα χορήγησης υποκατάστατων
Translated title:
Psychopathological symptoms of homeless and non-homeless substance abusers attending substitution program
Summary:
Introduction: According to references, in the homeless population there are high rates of mental health disorders, with substance use disorders being predominant.
Purpose: The present study aims to investigate/research the factors associated with increased psychopathology in homeless and non-homeless substance abusers who follow substitution programs.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 96 patients attending OKANA's buprenorphine program, 46 of which were homeless and 50 non-homeless. Participants were asked to complete the Symptom Check-List 90 Scale (SCL-90), as well as information on their socio-demographic characteristics.
Results: Differences were found in both socio-demographic characteristics and psychopathological symptoms between the homeless and the non-homeless. More specifically, homeless participants scored higher in the dimensions of "Anxiety" (p<0,05) and "Phobic Anxiety" (p<0,05). Furthermore, there were differences in citizenship, employment status and the length of stay in treatment program (p<0,05). In the overall sample, the educational level seemed to be related to the presence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and aggression, while higher scores regarding the presence of paranoid symptoms were shown in women compared to men.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, the homeless are more mentally burdened, confirming the original hypothesis. In addition, their mental health seemed to be affected by certain socio-demographic characteristics. It is therefore necessary to implement interventions that will aim to reduce and alleviate their psychopathological symptoms, in order to improve both their mental and physical health and their living conditions.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Homelessness, Addiction, Psychopathology, Substance use disorders, Substitution program
