Understanding successful community living by individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

34 volunteers diagnosed as chronically mentally ill were administered a questionnaire to evaluate what factors were important in preventing rehospitalization. The volunteers were divided into two groups based on their relapse history. Analysis showed the nonrelapse group were more likely to attribute factors such as in-home therapy, taking medication, and having fun with friends than did the group who had experienced at least one relapse in the past 24 months.