BACKGROUND: The aim of this present study is to examine whether overall subjective quality of life and specific domains of quality of life change among homeless adults after they become housed, and if so, what factors predict changes in satisfaction. METHODS: The data analysed here were collected through face-to-face interviews with a sample of 485 homeless adults who were interviewed as often as bi-monthly over a 16-month period. Bivariate analyses examined initial differences between three groups: homeless people who did not exit from homelessness; those with an exit from homelessness to dependent housing; and those with an exit to independent housing. Bivariate analyses also examined differences in subjective quality of life before and after an exit from homelessness among the three groups. Multivariate analyses identified predictors of changes in quality of life before and after exit. RESULTS: This study has three main findings. First, homeless people who obtained independent housing had the largest positive and significant improvements in satisfaction with overall quality of life, and in satisfaction with housing, leisure and money. Second, becoming housed was not a predictor of changes in overall quality of life perceived by homeless people, nor in their satisfaction with leisure, clothing, food, and social life. Furthermore, a positive change in housing satisfaction was not associated with all types of exits from homelessness; only a move into independent housing predicted such a change, but a move into dependent housing did not. Finally, of all the covariates included as predictors at baseline, only two variables seemed to consistently predict changes in satisfaction; namely, self-assessed general health and self-assessed self-help skills. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that becoming independently housed may improve some aspects of quality of life for homeless people, but not others. The results suggest that homeless people prefer to be independently housed relative to remaining homeless or staying in a dependent housing situation, but that independent housing does not necessarily improve other aspects of their lives.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this present study is to examine whether overall subjective quality of life and specific domains of quality of life change among homeless adults after they become housed, and if so, what factors predict changes in satisfaction. METHODS: The data analysed here were collected through face-to-face interviews with a sample of 485 homeless adults who were interviewed as often as bi-monthly over a 16-month period. Bivariate analyses examined initial differences between three groups: homeless people who did not exit from homelessness; those with an exit from homelessness to dependent housing; and those with an exit to independent housing. Bivariate analyses also examined differences in subjective quality of life before and after an exit from homelessness among the three groups. Multivariate analyses identified predictors of changes in quality of life before and after exit. RESULTS: This study has three main findings. First, homeless people who obtained independent housing had the largest positive and significant improvements in satisfaction with overall quality of life, and in satisfaction with housing, leisure and money. Second, becoming housed was not a predictor of changes in overall quality of life perceived by homeless people, nor in their satisfaction with leisure, clothing, food, and social life. Furthermore, a positive change in housing satisfaction was not associated with all types of exits from homelessness; only a move into independent housing predicted such a change, but a move into dependent housing did not. Finally, of all the covariates included as predictors at baseline, only two variables seemed to consistently predict changes in satisfaction; namely, self-assessed general health and self-assessed self-help skills. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that becoming independently housed may improve some aspects of quality of life for homeless people, but not others. The results suggest that homeless people prefer to be independently housed relative to remaining homeless or staying in a dependent housing situation, but that independent housing does not necessarily improve other aspects of their lives.
Authors: Renée de Vet; Maurice J A van Luijtelaar; Sonja N Brilleslijper-Kater; Wouter Vanderplasschen; Mariëlle D Beijersbergen; Judith R L M Wolf Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-08-15 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Michael G Madianos; Paraskevi Chondraki; George N Papadimitriou Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2013-03-19 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Jorien van der Laan; Barbara van Straaten; Sandra N Boersma; Gerda Rodenburg; Dike van de Mheen; Judith R L M Wolf Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2017-08-18 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Jorien van der Laan; Sandra N Boersma; Sara Al Shamma; Reinier Akkermans; Barbara van Straaten; Gerda Rodenburg; Dike van de Mheen; Judith R L M Wolf Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2020-10-01 Impact factor: 3.367