‘Trapped’, ‘anxious’ and ‘traumatised’: COVID-19 intensified the impact of housing inequality on Australians’ mental health

Abstract

Increased time spent at home during COVID-19 exposed inequities in Australian housing quality and availability. Many Australians lack sufficient space to carry out activities shifted to their homes and the financial downturn rapidly increased stress around housing affordability. Research demonstrates living in unaffordable or poor-quality housing can negatively impact residents' mental health. This study explores the mechanisms through which housing moderates COVID-19's impact on mental health by analysing 2,065 Australians surveyed in mid-to-late 2020. Hierarchical linear regressions were used to examine associations between housing circumstances, neighbourhood belonging and mental-health outcomes (loneliness, depression, and anxiety), adjusted for demographics. Open-ended responses were analysed using thematic analysis and critical-realist epistemology. Feeling 'trapped' and 'helpless' because of insecure tenure or lack of money to improve housing conditions reduced participants' sense of control. Inadequate space and noise adversely impacted participants' well-being. Participants' housing contextincluding amenities, natural spaces, and social connectionsstrongly impacted their emotional experiences. Safe, secure, and suitable housing is a known determinant of safety and physical health; this study suggests it is also a critical factor for Australians' mental health. To improve mental health among the vulnerably-housed, future housing policy should not compromise on housing affordability, quality, space and access to nearby amenities.

Residential built environment and working from home: A New Zealand perspective during COVID-19

“…The built environment impacts the physical and mental health of its occupants ( Amerio et al, 2020 ; Azzazy, Ghaffarianhoseini, Ghaffarianhoseini, Naismith, & Doborjeh, 2021 ; Bower et al, 2021 ; Choi, Kim, & Chun, 2015 ; Evans & McCoy, 1998 ). Extended time in a small, poorly built, unhealthy environment results in unnecessary discomfort and increases the chances of contracting preventable mental and physical illnesses ( Howden-Chapman & Pierse, 2020 ).…”

In their own words: An Australian community sample’s priority concerns regarding mental health in the context of COVID-19

“…Participant accounts provided richer insights into findings that have been identified via quantitative studies examining the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health. Namely, COVID-related disruption to work and social functioning has been linked with the changing mental health of many Australians; elevating symptoms of depression and anxiety [ 25 ] and increasing risk of stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety and self-harm [ 26 – 28 ].…”

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impacts Related to Mould-Affected Housing: An Australian Integrative Review

“…Increased time at home due to COVID-19 factors were reported to have both protective and negative consequences with regard to mould, dampness and building cracks [57]. On the one hand, the stay-at-home orders made it more difficult to overlook housing physical damage and defects and promoted the need for repair.…”

“…Emerging anecdotal evidence from the included studies reports that perceived health effects related to living in housing with dampness or visible mould extend beyond previously well-studied health associations to that of changes in mood, sadness, depression [57,87], pain [87,90] and other cognitive and physical symptoms for susceptible individuals [41,65,90].…”