An investigation of predictors of mental health in single men and women experiencing homelessness in three Canadian cities

ABSTRACT

Homelessness is related to poorer mental health, yet, there is limited understanding of the predictors of mental health of men and women experiencing homelessness. To support service providers in identifying individuals who might be at particular risk of poor mental health, this study investigated the predictors of mental health in 501 single men and women experiencing homelessness in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa, Canada. Data were obtained via in-person, structured interviews. In order to identify whether predictors differ by gender, multiple linear regressions were conducted separately for men and women. Mental health status was measured by the Mental Component Summary score of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. Better mental health for men and women was associated with the presence of fewer chronic health conditions and a higher level of social support. An older age, not having experienced a recent physical attack, and absence of a mental health diagnosis were related to better mental health for women. The absence of unmet mental health needs within the past 12 months was associated with better mental health for men. The study highlights differences in factors associated with mental health for men and women. Service providers should be aware of the association of these factors with mental health to guide assessment and service planning.

KEYWORDS:

• Homelessness
• mental health
• substance use
• gender differences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Rebecca Cherner completed this study during her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services at the University of Ottawa, where her research focused on the health and housing of vulnerable populations. She is currently an Evaluation Analyst at the Correctional Service of Canada.

Dr. Susan Farrell is the Clinical Director of the Community Mental Health Program at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, as well as the Director of Training for the Predoctoral Residency program in Clinical Psychology. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a Clinical Professor in the School of Psychology, University of Ottawa.

Dr. Stephen Hwang is the Director of the Centre for Urban Health Solutions of St. Michael's Hospital. His research focuses on improving the health of people who are homeless or vulnerably housed and deepening our understanding of housing as a social determinant of health.

Dr. Tim Aubry is a Full Professor in the School of Psychology and Senior Researcher at the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services at the University of Ottawa. He is currently holder of the Faculty of Social Sciences Research Chair in Community Mental Health and Homelessness. Over the course of his career, Dr. Aubry has collaborated on research projects with community organizations and government at all levels, contributing to the development of effective social programs and policies.

Dr. Fran Klodawsky is a Full Professor at Carleton University, cross-appointed in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and the Institute of Political Economy. Her research interests include: public policy and social inclusion/exclusion in cities especially in relation to housing; and feminist perspectives on cities, community organizing, housing and homelessness.

Dr. Anita Hubley is a Full Professor in Measurement, Evaluation, & Research Methodology and Director of the Adult Development and Psychometrics Lab in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education at the University of British Columbia. Author of more than 90 publications, Dr. Hubley is recognized internationally for her expertize in validity, test development, and psychological and health assessment and measurement in areas such as neuropsychology, quality of life, depression, subjective age, and homelessness. She has also developed several clinical, health, and psychological tests, including the Quality of Life in Homeless and Hard-to-House Individuals (QoLHHI).

Dr. Anne Gadermann is an Assistant Professor at the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, and Research Scientist at the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences (CHEOS), Providence Health Care Research Institute. Anne's research focuses on examining the social determinants of physical and mental health and well-being in populations across the lifespan, including individuals who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

Matthew To is a research coordinator at the Centre for Urban Health Solutions.

ORCID

Anita M. Hubley http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6172-6305

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by an operating grant (MOP-86765) from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.