Factors Associated With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Women Experiencing Homelessness and Unstable Housing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

A Scoping Review of the Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Persons Experiencing Homelessness in North America and Europe

“…Unmet need for showers [ 12 , 39 ], bathrooms [ 97 ], and other hygiene products or services [ 44 , 97 ] for PEH during the pandemic were reported by several studies. In a study by Riley et al, [ 111 ] 66% of women experiencing homelessness or unstable housing reported one or more subsistence needs, defined as insufficient access to food, clothing, housing, or hygiene resources. In some cases, barriers to hygiene were exacerbated by the pandemic; reduced access to showers [ 88 , 94 , 109 ], toilets [ 94 ], laundry [ 88 , 94 ], and other personal hygiene products and services [ 13 ] were discussed by several studies, with some noting that barriers were due, at least in part, to public closures [ 12 , 94 , 97 , 109 ].…”

“…There were mixed impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to food for PEH. Three studies reported unmet need for food during the pandemic [ 85 , 97 , 111 ]. Riley et al [ 111 ] measured subsistence needs, defined as insufficient access to food, clothing, housing, or hygiene resources, and found that 66% of women experiencing homelessness in the study had at least one unmet subsistence need.…”

“…Three studies reported unmet need for food during the pandemic [ 85 , 97 , 111 ]. Riley et al [ 111 ] measured subsistence needs, defined as insufficient access to food, clothing, housing, or hygiene resources, and found that 66% of women experiencing homelessness in the study had at least one unmet subsistence need. Additionally, when asked if they would be able to shelter in place for 14 days if needed, 45% of PEH in a study in Los Angeles responded no, with 91% citing lack of food as a reason [ 85 ].…”

“…Numerous studies discussed the impact the pandemic has had on PEH’s mental health. Poor mental health was reported in five studies [ 51 , 84 , 101 , 111 , 115 ]. A survey of PEH in Hamburg revealed that 32% of PEH had problems with anxiety or depression and that those with health insurance had lower odds of experiencing these conditions [ 115 ].…”

“…Another study using the same dataset from Hamburg reported that 49% of those surveyed felt lonely, with increased loneliness associated with male gender, being single, originating from Germany, high frequency of sharing a sleeping space with more than three people, and a higher self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 [ 84 ]. In San Francisco, 55% of women experiencing homelessness and unstable housing had depression, and 42% had anxiety; factors significantly associated with depression and anxiety included recent homelessness, unmet subsistence needs, and social isolation [ 111 ]. Increased difficulties accessing care for chronic medical conditions also increased risk of screening positive for anxiety more than threefold, and for depression, sixfold [ 111 ].…”