Relationship between therapeutic homework and clinical outcomes for individuals with severe mental illness

Objective: Therapeutic homework has been recommended for use by mental health case managers to help patients with severe mental illness (SMI). The current research examined the actual use of homework by case managers working in clinical practice. Method: Case managers were trained in a systematic approach to homework administration and were provided with carbonized homework administration pads to assist with homework implementation. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to examine the relationship between homework and outcome for participants in the study (n = 129). Results: The total number of homework assignments administered to each patient predicted improvement on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) and Kessler 10. How well the homework was completed also predicted improvements on the HoNOS. The relationship between homework and recovery-orientated outcome measures was not significant. Conclusion: The present study provides preliminary support for the use of a systematic approach to homework administration procedures when working with SMI. Future research should examine strategies to promote the regular use of systematic homework administration procedures by mental health case managers.