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Perceived Social Support Attenuates the Association between Stress and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adults Experiencing Homelessness

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  • Midhat Z. Jafry

    (Department of Biology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, University of Houston, Science & Research Building 2, 3455 Cullen Blvd Room 342, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Services, College of Education, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Jayda Martinez

    (Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Services, College of Education, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Tzuan A. Chen

    (Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Services, College of Education, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 1100 Health 2, 4849 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Michael S. Businelle

    (HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 1100 Health 2, 4849 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77204, USA
    TSET Health Promotion Research Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Darla E. Kendzor

    (TSET Health Promotion Research Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Lorraine R. Reitzel

    (Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Services, College of Education, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 1100 Health 2, 4849 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77204, USA)

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is defined as a multidimensional subjective assessment of one’s physical and mental health. Homelessness is associated with numerous stressors that can reduce HRQoL. Social support is defined as the availability of individuals, or resources provided by individuals, to cope with stress. Interpersonal social support may be important in buffering HRQoL from the negative implications of stress. Here, we examine this association in a marginalized group known for high rates of physical and mental health comorbidities: adults experiencing homelessness. Participants ( N = 581; 63.7% men; M age = 43.6 ± 12.2) were recruited from homeless-serving agencies in Oklahoma City. Social support was measured with the 12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL). HRQoL was measured by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey using self-rated health, the number of poor mental and poor physical health days over the preceding 30 days, as well as the number of limited activity days as the result of poor mental and/or physical health. Perceived stress was assessed using the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The potential moderation effect of social support was examined by assessing the interaction term of social support and stress in a series of linear regression analyses, controlling for sex, age, months homeless, race, education, health insurance status, serious mental illness diagnosis, and recruitment agency/site. There was a significant interaction effect of social support and stress on the prediction of days of poor physical health, days of poor mental health, and days of limited activity ( p in all cases ≤ 0.05). Results add to a growing literature on the potentially protective benefits of social support for HRQoL, extend them to a large sample of adults experiencing homelessness in the South, and demonstrate the significance of this moderating effect of social support over and above the influence of several prominent sociodemographic and diagnostic variables. Future work should determine if interventions designed to enhance social support can buffer HRQoL from the deleterious effects of stress among this vulnerable population.

Suggested Citation

  • Midhat Z. Jafry & Jayda Martinez & Tzuan A. Chen & Michael S. Businelle & Darla E. Kendzor & Lorraine R. Reitzel, 2021. "Perceived Social Support Attenuates the Association between Stress and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adults Experiencing Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10713-:d:654827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Businelle, M.S. & Cuate, E.L. & Kesh, A. & Poonawalla, I.B. & Kendzor, D.E., 2013. "Comparing homeless smokers to economically disadvantaged domiciled smokers," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(S2), pages 218-221.
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