ABSTRACT
Differences between 24 female and 35 male clients were assessed at entry into an intensive case management program serving homeless shelter residents and again nine months later. Both men and women were socially isolated, with small social networks and severe deficits in social functioning. Histories of homelessness were similar for both genders, and there were no gender differences in psychopathology at baseline or follow-up. At entry into the program women had higher levels of social skills, larger and more supportive networks, and better housing conditions than men, but these differences disappeared after the subjects spent nine months in the program. Inadequate living conditions may have contributed to the more negative initial picture for men. Although there were more similarities than differences between the men and women in this sample, more research on gender differences is needed to design and evaluate programs for homeless mentally ill persons.
Subject(s)
Ill-Housed Persons/statistics & numerical data , Managed Care Programs/statistics & numerical data , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Community Mental Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disability Evaluation , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Ill-Housed Persons/psychology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Mental Disorders/psychology , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Middle Aged , Ontario/epidemiology , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Psychotic Disorders/rehabilitation , Rehabilitation, Vocational/statistics & numerical data , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
In a previous study we reported that castration of adult male rats resulted in femoral osteoporosis 4 months later. The present study tested the effects of dichloromethylene biphosphonate (Cl2MBP, formerly Cl2MDP), a bone resorption inhibitor, on the development of osteoporosis in femora of adult castrated male rats. One-year-old male Holtzman rats were assigned to three groups: sham-operated controls; castrated-no treatment; castrated + Cl2MBP injections 3 times/week. The animals were sacrificed 4 months later. Femora from untreated castrated rats were osteoporotic, confirming our earlier study. Femora from Cl2MBP-treated castrates did not differ from those of controls and were significantly denser and more robust than those of untreated castrated rats. The results indicated that Cl2MBP treatment started immediately after castration prevented the development of femoral osteoporosis in adult castrated male rats.
