The comparative effectiveness of different models of permanent supportive housing on problematic substance use, depression, and anxiety symptoms 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.

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Levels of mental distress over 18 years after entering treatment for substance use disorders: A longitudinal cohort study

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.1177/1455072520947249 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 352-364

Author(s):

Arne Jan Hjemsæter ◽

Jørgen G Bramness ◽

Robert Drake ◽

Ivar Skeie ◽

Bent Monsbakken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Mental Distress ◽

Integrated Treatment ◽

Reciprocal Relationship ◽

Problematic Substance Use ◽

Identification Test ◽

Problematic Substance ◽

Over Time

Aims: The aims were to investigate whether baseline characteristics and problematic substance use were related to change in mental distress over time in patients with substance use disorders during an 18-year period. Method: This was a prospective, longitudinal study of patients followed for 18 years after entering specialised treatment for substance use disorders. A sample of 291 patients was recruited in 1997 and 1998. Mental distress was measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25 at baseline, and at six and 18 years. Lifetime psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders at baseline were measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, while personality disorders were measured using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II. At the six- and 18-year follow-ups, substance use was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test. Linear mixed model was estimated to assess the overall level of mental distress over 18 years for participants with complete data at baseline ( n = 232). Results: In an adjusted model, problematic substance use assessed simultaneously with mental distress, having lifetime affective, anxiety and personality disorder at baseline were associated with greater levels of mental distress over the 18-year period. The change in mental distress from baseline to the six-year, but not to the 18-year, follow-up was significantly larger among females than among males. Conclusion: The results suggests a reciprocal relationship over time between substance use and mental health problems. Also, there seems to be an additive effect between ongoing problematic substance use and lifetime mental disorders on greater levels of mental distress. This addresses the importance of integrated treatment for both substance use disorders and mental disorders to improve the long-term course for patients with these comorbid disorders.

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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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-62957/v1 ◽

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.

Download Full-text