The Relationship Between Hope, Housing Type, and Housing Characteristics Among Individuals With Dual Diagnoses

Abstract

The current study examined whether individuals with dual diagnoses in different types of housing experience different levels of hope and whether hope is related to certain housing characteristics. A total of 87 participants (65 in residential programs and 22 in independent apartments) responded to questionnaires about hope and current housing arrangements. Hope did not vary by housing type or housing characteristics. Clients in group housing may have as much hope as clients in apartments. Replication and future study is needed to better understand the relationship between housing and hope.

KEYWORDS:

• Recovery
• serious mental illness
• schizophrenia
• homelessness
• dual diagnosis

Notes

^aIndividual n's for each category ranged from 55 to 65 for “residential program” and 18 to 22 for “own apartment.”

^bChi-square test excluded the “other” category because of cell > 1.

*p < .05;

**p < .001.

^a n's ranged from 63 to 65 for “residential program” and 21 to 22 for “own apartment.”

^bHope was rated on a 4-point scale with higher scores denoting higher levels of hope.

^cHousing quality was rated on a 5-point scale with higher scores denoting higher quality.

^dPrivacy, normality, safety, access to transportation, and affordability were rated on a 5-point scale with higher scores denoting higher endorsement of these characteristics.

^aAll scale and rating values represent mean scores.

*p < .01;

**p < .05.

1. “Damp” housing is defined as housing where some limits on substance use are imposed, whereas “wet” housing is more lax on such rules, and “dry” housing strictly enforces no tolerance for substance use among residents.