Abstract
Participants in this study suffered from severe mental illness and were homeless at baseline. They were given their choice of five different treatment programs. The current study investigated two major questions: (1) what is the impact of positive expectancies about the efficacy of the chosen program on number of contacts with the chosen program and client outcomes; and (2) what is the impact of positive views about nonchosen programs (alternative choice variables) on contact with the chosen program and client outcomes. Client outcomes assessed were psychotic symptoms, days homeless, and client satisfaction. Positive expectancy variables were the number of reasons for choosing a program and confidence that the program would help. Alternative choice variables were the number of nonchosen programs visited and the attractiveness of a nonchosen program. Only the number of reasons for choosing the program was significantly related to program contact with the chosen program. Both of the positive expectancy variables and program contact were significantly correlated with consumer satisfaction. In general, neither the positive expectancy variables nor the alternative choice variables predicted changes in psychotic symptoms nor days homeless. Β© 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 339β348, 2003.