Social support, psychiatric symptoms, and housing: A causal analysis

Calsyn, Robert J.; Winter, Joel P.

doi:10.1002/jcop.10004

Cited by 63 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The research literature indicates homeless persons typically have smaller social networks than the non-homeless (Calsyn & Winter, 2002;Shinn, Knickman, & Weitzman, 1991). Bassuk et al (1997) report that 220 homeless mothers in family shelters in Worcester, MA had significantly fewer members in their social networks than a comparison group of housed women.…”

Section: Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 97%

The Ecology of Homelessness

Nooe

Patterson

2010

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment

141

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This article proposes an ecological model of homelessness drawn from a broad review of the research and practice literature. The spectrum of biopsychosocial risks associated with pathways into homelessness is reviewed, followed by examination of social and individual consequences resulting from periods of homelessness. The temporal dimensions of homelessness, including ''first-time,'' ''episodic,'' and ''chronic,'' are defined and discussed along with the continuum of living arrangements experienced by homeless individuals and families. These constituent domains of the ecology of homelessness are presented in a conceptual map depicting the relationships and interactions among the parts of the model. The intention is to provide a coherent and cogent map to encourage comprehensive integrated efforts as individuals, agencies, and communities strive to prevent and resolve homelessness.

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Section: Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 97%

The Ecology of Homelessness

Nooe

Patterson

2010

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment

141

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“…This research has found that social support is associated with lower rates of mental health problems, such as depression and suicidal ideation, fewer physical illness symptoms, decreased substance abuse, and less risky drug and sexual behavior among homeless individuals. 3,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Other research has found that social support is related to higher levels of health and social service utilization among homeless persons, 21 and a small body of research has found that social support is negatively related to victimization while homeless. [22][23][24] Nevertheless, few studies have comprehensively examined the effects of perceived and received dimensions of emotional, financial, and instrumental social support, on mental health and physical health among homeless individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Multidimensional Social Support and the Health of Homeless Individuals

et al. 2009

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Homeless individuals often suffer from serious health problems. It has been argued that the homeless are socially isolated, with low levels of social support and social functioning, and that this lack of social resources contributes to their ill health. These observations suggest the need to further explore the relationship between social networks, social support, and health among persons who are homeless. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between multidimensional (cognitive/perceived and behavioral/received) social support and health outcomes, including physical health status, mental health status, and recent victimization, among a representative sample of homeless individuals in Toronto, Canada. Multivariate regression analyses were performed on social support and health outcome data from a subsample of 544 homeless adults, recruited from shelters and meal programs through multistage cluster sampling procedures. Results indicated that participants perceived moderately high levels of access to financial, emotional, and instrumental social support in their social networks. These types of perceived social supports were related to better physical and mental health status and lower likelihood of victimization. These findings highlight a need for more services that encourage the integration of homeless individuals into social networks and the building of specific types of social support within networks, in addition to more research into social support and other social contextual factors (e.g., social capital) and their influence on the health of homeless individuals.

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“…This is consistent with the idea that emotion regulation processes can shape the social environment; with difficulties in emotion regulation limiting an individual's access to social support during the period of homelessness (Deelstra et al, 2003;English et al, 2012;Kappas, 2013). This may be particularly important to breaking out of homelessness, as having supportive relationships and social connections is associated with shorter durations of homelessness and longer periods of stable housing (Calsyn & Winter, 2002;Orwin et al, 2005) and housing policies and interventions have highlighted that social integration is an important outcome in ending homelessness (Arthurson & Jacobs, 2004;Australian Government, 2008;Busch-Geertsema et al, 2010;Edgar et al, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…For instance, it has been found that homeless individuals with higher levels of positive social support have better mental and physical health and lower rates of victimization (Bates & Toro, 1999;Hwang, Tolomiczenko, Kouyoumdjian, & Garner, 2005;Schutt, Meschede, & Rierdan, 1994). Further, having supportive relationships and social connections is associated with shorter durations of homelessness and longer periods of stable housing (Calsyn & Winter, 2002;Orwin et al, 2005). Moreover, qualitative interviews with formerly homeless individuals reveal that supportive relationships can be an important factor in allowing individuals to break the cycle of homelessness (Thompson, Pollio, Eyrich, Bradbury, & North, 2004).…”

Section: Social Connectedness Among People Who Are Homelessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transitions through homelessness: the impact of psychosocial factors on well-being and outcomes in a homeless sample

Walter¹

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Homelessness is a complex social issue that is of increasing concern to most developed nations.Homelessness is more than not having a house; it is a form of social exclusion and carries significant physical, psychological, and social challenges. The broad aim of the current thesis was to investigate how the psychological and social aspects of the homeless experience can influence outcomes, such as well-being. In particular, the research focuses on processes related to social categories, social identities, and social support of people, as people transition through homeless accommodation services.The first empirical chapters (Chapter 4 and 5) focus on the impact of self-categorization as homeless. Study 1 (Chapter 4) was a qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional study with 119 residents of homeless accommodation services in South-East Queensland. Results demonstrated that while the majority of participants accepted the homeless label (55%), a large portion of residents (31%) rejected the homeless label, or were ambivalent (14%). Respondents who rejected the homeless label reported greater personal well-being and lower negative mood symptoms than participants who accepted the label. Study 2 (Chapter 5) explored this further using an experimental paradigm among 80 residents of a homeless service. Participants who were required to selfcategorize as homeless at the beginning of the questionnaire had significantly lower future life aspirations and perceived competency than participants who did not. Further, future life aspirations and perceived competency both mediated the relationship between self-categorization and wellbeing.Studies 3 and 4 (Chapters 6 and 7) focus on social identity processes for people transitioning through homelessness. Study 3 assessed how multiple group memberships and service identification related to well-being and positive housing outcomes among 76 participants while they were residing in a homeless accommodation service and again 2 -4 weeks after leaving the service (or three months later if participants had not left the service). The results found that multiple group memberships and service identification independently predicted well-being at Time 2, via social support. Both social identity processes also indirectly predicted housing outcomes via social support. Study 4 built on this research by exploring the antecedents and outcomes that are related to service identification among 296 residents across 19 services. Characteristics of the service delivery model and perceptions of discrimination predicted participants' identification with staff. Further, identification with staff predicted service engagement 6 months later and identification with residents predicted joining new groups 6 months later.The final study (Chapter 8) examined how one of these social processes, namely the relationship between social support and well-being, related to an "individual" trait -emotion iii regulation. Results from a one-year longitudinal study, conducted over three time-points, supported a bi...

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Social support, psychiatric symptoms, and housing: A causal analysis

Cited by 63 publications

References 32 publications

The Ecology of Homelessness

The Ecology of Homelessness

Multidimensional Social Support and the Health of Homeless Individuals

Transitions through homelessness: the impact of psychosocial factors on well-being and outcomes in a homeless sample

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