Determinants of depression and anxiety in homeless people: A population survey of homeless people in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background: There are growing concerns about the homeless and mental health issues globally. This study aims to examine the mental health situation of homelessness and the determinants of anxiety and depression of them in Hong Kong. Method: The data from the largest territory-wide study of the homeless population in 2021 was analyzed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to investigate the association between mental health and socioeconomic variables, including demographic background, economic indicators, COVID-19 worries, government measures, and respect by others. The symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Results: The results showed that being female, food insecurity, and chronic diseases were the risk factors for anxiety and depression. A high level of respect by others was the protective factor for depression (adjusted OR 0.37, 95% CI [0.23, 0.61]) and anxiety (adjusted OR 0.40, 95% CI [0.24, 0.68]), compared to a low level of respect in the multivariate model. Conclusions: Providing medical outreach services, additional resources for social services, implementation of homeless-friendly policies, and a progressive supply of public and transitional housing would help enhance the well-being of the homeless population

Impact of Easing COVID-19 Restrictions on Fear of COVID-19 and Social Support Among Chinese Students: A Longitudinal Analysis

“…88 Throughout the pandemic, community and professional support paradigms have risen as indispensable pillars, correlating with increased resilience and better mental health outcomes in crisis situations. 49,89,90 Theoretical and Practical Implications This study's findings offer insights of both theoretical and practical significance. The research contributes to our understanding of post-COVID-19 mental well-being by providing a framework for interpreting the fluctuations in fear and anxiety witnessed throughout the pandemic, emphasizing the interplay of uncertainty and social support.…”

“…Robust social support has been linked to reductions in depression, anxiety, and overarching psychological distress postcrisis, but its impact on post-traumatic stress manifestations remains uncertain. [48][49][50] Given the emergence of COVID-19 variants with varying virulence, like Omicron, the continuous assessment of evolving fear dynamics and associated social response is essential. Amid fluctuating infection patterns and the diverse spectrum of fear experienced by university students, exam ining the role of perceived social support in mitigating fear becomes crucial, especially through longitudinal research methods.…”

Health literacy and its association with mental and spiritual well-being among women experiencing homelessness

“…Homelessness has been linked to high rates of mental health comorbidities ( Fazel et al ., 2014 ; Gutwinski et al ., 2021 ), and the incidence of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, is higher among women experiencing homelessness than the general population ( Phipps et al ., 2019 ), or males experiencing homelessness ( Chan et al ., 2023 ). Adverse childhood experiences (e.g.…”