A Systematic Review of Evidence for the Clubhouse Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation

• Published in: Administration and policy in mental health and mental health services research 2018-01, Vol.45 (1), p.28-47
• Main Authors: McKay, Colleen, Nugent, Katie L., Johnsen, Matthew, Eaton, William W., Lidz, Charles W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Clinical research; Clinical trials; Delivery of Health Care; Education; Efficacy; Employment; Evidence-based medicine; Evidence-Based Practice; Fidelity; Health Administration; Health Informatics; Health Promotion; Hospitalization; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Literature reviews; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental Disorders - rehabilitation; Mental health care; Observational studies; Original; Original Article; Personal Satisfaction; Psychiatric hospitals; Psychiatric Rehabilitation - methods; Psychiatry; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial rehabilitation; Public Health; Quality of Life; Quasi-experimental methods; Rehabilitation; Reviews; Selection criteria; Social relations; Systematic review; Therapeutic Community
• ISSN: 0894-587X; 1573-3289
• DOI: 10.1007/s10488-016-0760-3

The Clubhouse Model has been in existence for over sixty-five years; however, a review that synthesizes the literature on the model is needed. The current study makes use of the existing research to conduct a systematic review of articles providing a comprehensive understanding of what is known about the Clubhouse Model, to identify the best evidence available, as well as areas that would benefit from further study. Findings are summarized and evidence is classified by outcome domains. Fifty-two articles met the selection criteria of Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT’s), quasi-experimental studies, or observational studies for domains of employment (N = 29); quality of life/satisfaction (N = 10); reductions in psychiatric hospitalization(s) (N = 10); social relationships (N = 10); education (N = 3); and health promotion activities (N = 2). RCT results support the efficacy of the Clubhouse Model in promoting employment, reducing hospitalization(s), and improving quality of life. Quasi-experimental and observational studies offer support in education and social domains. The findings from this review indicate that Clubhouses are a promising practice but additional studies using rigorous methods that report the strength of the outcomes are needed to evaluate Clubhouse programs with fidelity to the Clubhouse Model.