Community integration and quality of life: a comparison of persons with psychiatric disabilities in housing programs and community residents who are neighbors.

Fifty-one persons with psychiatric disabilities in housing programs in the Ottawa-Carleton area were compared with a matched sample of 51 community residents on several aspects of community integration and subjective quality of life. Matching criteria included sex and location (i.e., living within one square block). Results showed persons with psychiatric disabilities reporting lower levels of social contact with neighbours and general life satisfaction than community residents. Both groups showed similar levels of physical presence and sense of community in the neighbourhood. Implications of the findings for planning and improving community mental health services are discussed.