Housing stressors and social support among the seriously mentally Ill

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This paper explores the links between housing‐related stressors and psychological distress among the seriously mentally ill. The housing that is typically available for the mentally ill is often grossly inadequate, and can represent a significant source of additional stress. We hypothesize, however, that for some people the adverse effect of housing stress is mitigated by effective social supports. In other words, the stress/symptom relationship may be attenuated for those individuals who have active and supportive social relationships. The results of a study conducted in urban New Zealand indicated that social support played an important role in reducing or eliminating the adverse effects of stress, particularly in the case of psychiatric symptoms. Most of the evidence pointed to the existence of a ‘main’ effect; in other words support appears to reduce symptoms regardless of the level of stress. Using longitudinal data, we were able to control for the individual's prior level of psychological distress. As might be expected in such a sample, prior level of distress was the primary predictor, the only other significant predictor being support from friends. We conclude that for the mentally ill in the community, housing is not necessarily the most important concern; rather there is a crucial need to strengthen the social bonds within the community.

This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit: