Karine Perreault1,2, Philippe Dufresne3, Louise Potvin4,5, Mylène Riva3. 1. School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. k.perreault@umontreal.ca. 2. Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique - CreSP, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. k.perreault@umontreal.ca. 3. Department of Geography, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. 4. School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. 5. Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique - CreSP, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Abstract
INTERVENTION: In 2014-2015, more than 400 public housing units were constructed in Nunavut and Nunavik, two of the four Inuit regions in Canada. This provided the opportunity to assess the impact of improved housing conditions from a population health perspective in 12 Inuit communities where housing needs were the most severe. The aim of the research is to examine the associations between changes in housing conditions and changes in psychological distress pre-post rehousing. METHODS: A pre-post uncontrolled study was conducted in collaboration with Nunavut- and Nunavik-based organizations. Applicants at the top of public housing waitlists were recruited by local housing officers; participants completed questionnaires 1-6 months before rehousing, and 15-18 months after. Change in psychological distress was measured with the Kessler 6-item scale. Changes in three housing measures were examined: number of adults per household, number of children per household, and sense of home score. For each housing measure, a categorical variable stratified participants into three categories. The reference category included participants reporting significant change in the concerned housing measure; the two other categories included participants reporting little or no change. Associations were tested with linear multilevel regression models for change. RESULTS: A total of 102 Inuit adults completed the study. A reduction in the number of adults per household (living with 2 adults or less after rehousing) and an increase in sense of home were associated with significant decline in psychological distress pre-post rehousing (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased investments leading to such improvements in housing circumstances are promising ways to promote mental health in Inuit regions.
INTERVENTION: In 2014-2015, more than 400 public housing units were constructed in Nunavut and Nunavik, two of the four Inuit regions in Canada. This provided the opportunity to assess the impact of improved housing conditions from a population health perspective in 12 Inuit communities where housing needs were the most severe. The aim of the research is to examine the associations between changes in housing conditions and changes in psychological distress pre-post rehousing. METHODS: A pre-post uncontrolled study was conducted in collaboration with Nunavut- and Nunavik-based organizations. Applicants at the top of public housing waitlists were recruited by local housing officers; participants completed questionnaires 1-6 months before rehousing, and 15-18 months after. Change in psychological distress was measured with the Kessler 6-item scale. Changes in three housing measures were examined: number of adults per household, number of children per household, and sense of home score. For each housing measure, a categorical variable stratified participants into three categories. The reference category included participants reporting significant change in the concerned housing measure; the two other categories included participants reporting little or no change. Associations were tested with linear multilevel regression models for change. RESULTS: A total of 102 Inuit adults completed the study. A reduction in the number of adults per household (living with 2 adults or less after rehousing) and an increase in sense of home were associated with significant decline in psychological distress pre-post rehousing (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased investments leading to such improvements in housing circumstances are promising ways to promote mental health in Inuit regions.
Authors: R C Kessler; G Andrews; L J Colpe; E Hiripi; D K Mroczek; S L T Normand; E E Walters; A M Zaslavsky Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2002-08 Impact factor: 7.723