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Well-Being without a Roof: Examining Well-Being among Unhoused Individuals Using Mixed Methods and Propensity Score Matching

Author

Listed:
  • Naina J Ahuja

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Allison Nguyen

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Sandra J Winter

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Mark Freeman

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Robert Shi

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Catherine A Heaney

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
    Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality experiences of people who are unhoused have been well-described, but much less is known about the overall well-being of these individuals. In this mixed methods study, housed and unhoused participants completed a multi-faceted 10 domain measure of well-being (the Stanford WELL Survey), and a subset of unhoused participants shared their experiences during qualitative interviews. Using propensity score matching, unhoused participants ( n = 51) were matched at a ratio of 1:5 with housed participants ( n = 255). The mean overall well-being score of the unhoused participants was significantly lower than that of the matched housed participants (B = −5.022, p = 0.013). Additionally, the two groups differed on some of the constituent domains of well-being, with unhoused participants reporting statistically significantly lower mean scores on social connectedness (B = −1.086, p = 0.000), lifestyle and daily practices (B = −1.219, p = 0.000), stress and resilience (B = −0.493, p = 0.023), experience of emotions (B = −0.632, p = 0.009), physical health (B = −0.944, p = 0.0001), and finances (B = −3.099, p = 0.000). The unhoused participants had a statistically significantly higher mean score for spirituality and religiosity (B = 2.401, p = 0.000) than their matched housed counterparts. The qualitative interviews further highlighted spirituality and religion as a coping mechanism for the unhoused. The results of this study highlight both unexpected strengths exhibited by the unhoused individuals and areas of challenge.

Suggested Citation

  • Naina J Ahuja & Allison Nguyen & Sandra J Winter & Mark Freeman & Robert Shi & Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa & Catherine A Heaney, 2020. "Well-Being without a Roof: Examining Well-Being among Unhoused Individuals Using Mixed Methods and Propensity Score Matching," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7228-:d:423182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miranda Rutenfrans-Stupar & Naomi Hanique & Tine Regenmortel & René Schalk, 2020. "The Importance of Self-Mastery in Enhancing Quality of Life and Social Participation of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Results of a Mixed-Method Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 148(2), pages 491-515, April.
    2. Miranda Rutenfrans-Stupar & Tine Regenmortel & René Schalk, 2019. "How to Enhance Social Participation and Well-Being in (Formerly) Homeless Clients: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 145(1), pages 329-348, August.
    3. Md Mahbub Hossain & Abida Sultana & Samia Tasnim & Qiping Fan & Ping Ma & E Lisako J McKyer & Neetu Purohit, 2020. "Prevalence of mental disorders among people who are homeless: An umbrella review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(6), pages 528-541, September.
    4. Ben B. Hansen, 2004. "Full Matching in an Observational Study of Coaching for the SAT," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 99, pages 609-618, January.
    5. Robert Biswas-Diener & Ed Diener, 2006. "The Subjective Well-Being of the Homeless, and Lessons for Happiness," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 76(2), pages 185-205, April.
    6. Johan Ormel & Siegwart Lindenberg & Nardi Steverink & Lois Verbrugge, 1999. "Subjective Well-Being and Social Production Functions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 61-90, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. David A. Sleet & Louis Hugo Francescutti, 2021. "Homelessness and Public Health: A Focus on Strategies and Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-6, November.

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