Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among Homeless Men on Parole

Abstract

This study describes correlates of high levels of depressive symptoms among recently paroled men in Los Angeles who reside in a community substance abuse treatment program and report homelessness. Cross-sectional data were obtained from male residents who were released on parole within the last 30 days (N=157) to assess parental relationship, self-esteem, social support, coping behaviors, drug and alcohol use behaviors, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic information. Results indicated that 40% of participants were classified as experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 10). Results of a logistic regression analysis showed that the following were predictors of depressive symptoms (p < .05): physical abuse in childhood, non-residential alcohol treatment, violent behaviors, low self-esteem, and disengagement coping. Being Mexican-American, Mexican, American Indian, or Asian) and not displaying cognitive problems was inversely related to depressive symptoms in the final model (B = −2.39, p < .05). Findings support proper use of both prison and community assessment services to at-risk individuals eligible for parole to increase self-esteem and coping.

Distal Stressors and Depression among Homeless Men

“…Four studies found that homeless adults who had more relationships or who received more support were less likely to report symptoms of depression ( Kertesz et al, 2005;LaGory et al, 1990;Stein et al, 2008;Wong & Piliavin, 2001). However, Nyamathi et al's (2011) study-which appears to be the only study on relationships during adulthood and depression among homeless men-did not find a relationship between the quality and supportiveness of men's relationship with their parents, family, and friends and depression.…”

“…Childhood physical abuse was not related to mental health impairment. Nyamathi et al (2011) found the opposite result: Childhood physical abuse was related to depression among homeless men in substance abuse treatment; however, childhood sexual abuse was not. North and Smith (1993) studied a broader range of traumas among men in shelters.…”

“…Researchers have investigated the relationship between substance abuse and mental health among homeless men and found a bivariate relationship between hard drug use, severity of alcohol use, and severity of drug use and homeless men's mental health problems ( Rhoades et al, 2014;Stein & Gelberg, 1995;Weiser et al, 2006). Among homeless adults with a substance abuse problem, the severity of the substance use problem was related to poorer mental health in Kertesz et al's (2005) and Nyamathi et al's (2011) studies. Although it seems likely that having a substance abuse problem is related to depression among homeless men, this relationship, to our knowledge, has not been examined in the context of other potentially important factors.…”

“…LaGory, Ritchey, and Mullis (1990) did not find a relationship between these two conditions, but Nyamathi et al (2012) did. Because of these mixed findings, and because exposure to parent problems during childhood ( Nyamathi et al, 2011;Nyamathi et al, 2012) and being victimized ( Kim, Ford, Howard, & Bradford, 2010) are related to poorer physical health, it is important to account for physical health when predicting men's depression.…”

“…Depression appears to affect a large number of homeless men. Using standardized measures, researchers consistently find that between 40 percent and 47 percent of homeless men meet criteria for mild to severe depression ( Nyamathi et al, 2011;Rhoades et al, 2014;Weiser et al, 2006).…”