scholarly journals Differences in Health and Social Support between Homeless Men and Women Entering Permanent Supportive Housing

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailey Winetrobe ◽  
Suzanne Wenzel ◽  
Harmony Rhoades ◽  
Benjamin Henwood ◽  
Eric Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Homeless Men

scholarly journals Increases in social support co-occur with decreases in depressive symptoms and substance use problems among adults in permanent supportive housing: an 18-month longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengqi Tan ◽  
Eun-Young Mun ◽  
Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen ◽  
Scott T. Walters
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Parallel Process ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Substance Use Problems ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Social support is a well-known protective factor against depressive symptoms and substance use problems, but very few studies have examined its protective effects among residents of permanent supportive housing (PSH), a housing program for people with a history of chronic homelessness. We utilized unconditional latent growth curve models (LGCMs) and parallel process growth models to describe univariate trajectories of social support, depressive symptoms, and substance use problems and to examine their longitudinal associations in a large sample of adults residing in PSH. Methods Participants were 653 adult PSH residents in North Texas (56% female; 57% Black; mean age: 51 years) who participated in a monthly health coaching program from 2014 to 2017. Their health behaviors were assessed at baseline and tracked every six months at three follow-up visits. Results Unconditional LGCMs indicated that over time, social support increased, whereas depressive symptoms and substance use problems decreased. However, their rates of change slowed over time. Further, in parallel process growth models, we found that at baseline, individuals with greater social support tended to have less severe depressive symptoms and substance use problems (coefficients: − 0.67, p < 0.01; − 0.52, p < 0.01, respectively). Individuals with a faster increase in social support tended to have steeper rates of reduction in both depressive symptoms (coefficient: − 0.99, p < 0.01) and substance use problems (coefficient: − 0.98, p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions This study suggests that plausibly, increases in social support, though slowing over time, still positively impact depressive symptoms and substance use problems among PSH residents. Future PSH programs could emphasize social support as an early component as it may contribute to clients’ overall health.

scholarly journals Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Depressive Symptoms Among Permanent Supportive Housing Residents

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 527-527
Author(s):  
Esther Holmes ◽  
Scott Walters
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Moderate Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patient Health

Abstract Objectives The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the influence of alcohol consumption on depressive symptoms among permanent supportive housing (PSH) residents within the context of other lifestyle factors. Methods A longitudinal analysis was conducted among 420 PSH residents participating in a technology-assisted health coaching program. Three timepoints were included: baseline, six-month, and twelve-month assessment visits. The independent variable was alcohol use, measured by the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB). The dependent variable was depressive symptoms, measured by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Covariates included total vegetable and fruit intake, tobacco use, social support, satisfaction with leisure activities, race, sex, age, and visit. The interaction of social support with the lifestyle behaviors was evaluated. Results Heavy alcohol consumers had greater depressive symptoms compared with moderate alcohol consumers (b = 1.54, P = 0.01). However, there was not a statistically significant difference in depressive symptoms between non-consumers of alcohol and moderate alcohol consumers (b = 0.77, P = 0.19). Social support was not a statistically significant effect modifier. Conclusions Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of having depressive symptoms among PSH residents. Funding Sources Funding for the program was provided through a Medicaid 1115 Waiver to the State of Texas.

scholarly journals Increases in Social Support Co-Occur with Decreases in Depression and Substance Use Problems Among Adults in Permanent Supportive Housing: An 18-Month Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengqi Tan ◽  
Eun-Young Mun ◽  
Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen ◽  
Scott T. Walters
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Parallel Process ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Substance Use Problems ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background: Social support is a well-known protective factor against depression and substance use problems, but very few studies have examined its protective effects among Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) residents. We utilized unconditional latent growth curve models (LGCMs) and parallel process growth models to describe univariate trajectories of social support, depression, and substance use problems, and to examine their longitudinal associations in a large sample of adults residing in PSH.Methods: Participants were 653 adult PSH residents in North Texas (56% female; 57% Black, 35% White, 8% other; mean age: 51 years) who participated in a monthly health coaching program from 2014 to 2017. Their health behaviors were assessed at baseline and tracked every six months at three follow-up visits.Results: Unconditional LGCMs indicated that over time, social support increased, whereas depressive symptoms and substance use problems decreased. However, their rates of change slowed over time. Further, in parallel process growth models, we found that at baseline, individuals with greater social support tended to have less severe depression and substance use problems (coefficients: –0.67, p<0.01; –0.52, p<0.01, respectively). Individuals with a faster increase in social support tended to have steeper rates of reduction in both depression (coefficient: –0.99, p<0.01) and substance use problems (coefficient: –0.98, p<0.01), respectively.Conclusions: This study suggests that increases in social support, though slowing over time, still positively impact depression and substance use problems among PSH residents. Future PSH programs could emphasize social support as an early component as it may contribute to clients’ overall health.

Access to social support among homeless urban women and men in Tehran (Iran)

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Zahra Zare
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Homeless Women ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Homeless Men ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
The Social

Purpose Social support is a significant factor in the life of homeless people, as it helps them meet their life challenges more efficiently and increases the likelihood of return to a normal life. Social support plays a different role in homeless women’s life, as gender culture often causes them to be exposed to more risks. The purpose of this paper is to identify homeless people’s access to social support from their network members, with a comparison between men and women. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a survey method was used with an administrated questionnaire. Participants were recruited from among the homeless people (men and women) who used the municipal social services in shelters and social service centers in Tehran. The main variables in this study included frequency of contact, social support, and gender. Findings The results have shown significant differences between homeless men and homeless women in terms of frequency of contact and receipt of social support. Homeless women contacted their network members more often than did homeless men and also received more support. There seems to be a strong correlation between the receipt of social support and women’s greater ability for social communication, as well as with traditional culture, which considers women to be weak and dependent so that they receive more support compared with men. The weakness of social support, especially among homeless men, requires serious attention; however, homeless women are not in a favorable situation either. Originality/value The social networks of homeless people who usually live on the streets and in public places without permanent shelter are weak because of various reasons, including poverty, addiction, immigration, and divorce. The weakness of social support leads to an escalation of their vulnerabilities. Thus, it is necessary, in social policy and services, to improve the social network of high-risk people such as homeless people, which would help the rehabilitation process and reduce the probability of exposure to harm.

Housing Matters, Services Might: Findings from the High Needs Families Program Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 693 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-229
Author(s):  
Debra J. Rog ◽  
Kathryn A. Henderson ◽  
Clara A. Wagner ◽  
Emily L. Abbruzzi
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Subsidized Housing ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Intensive Case Management ◽  
Access To Services ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
The Past ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent supportive housing for families experiencing homelessness—typically, subsidized housing that is not time limited and provides access to a range of support services—has substantially increased over the past 10 years, despite an absence of rigorous evidence of its effectiveness. We examine the benefits of subsidized housing with supportive services compared to subsidized housing alone. Our findings suggest that supportive housing offers more opportunities for access to services and benefits than subsidized housing alone, but it may not be beneficial to families’ housing stability or to family members’ employment or involvement with the criminal justice system. We argue that housing that is coupled with intensive case management, that is service rich, and that provides and adheres to harm reduction principles may help to strengthen supportive housing’s effectiveness.

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