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The Ecology of Unsheltered Homelessness: Environmental and Social-Network Predictors of Well-Being among an Unsheltered Homeless Population

Author

Listed:
  • Mary-Catherine Anderson

    (Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Ashley Hazel

    (Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Jessica M. Perkins

    (Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203, USA)

  • Zack W. Almquist

    (Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

Abstract

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face extreme weather exposure and limited social support. However, few studies have empirically assessed biophysical and social drivers of health outcomes among unsheltered PEH. Social network, health, and outdoor exposure data were collected from a convenience sample of unsheltered PEH ( n = 246) in Nashville, TN, from August 2018–June 2019. Using multivariate fixed-effects linear regression models, we examined associations between biophysical and social environments and self-reported general health and emotional well-being. We found that study participants reported the lowest general health scores during winter months—Nashville’s coldest season. We also found a positive association between the number of nights participants spent indoors during the previous week and general health. Participants who spent even one night indoors during the past week had 1.8-point higher general health scores than participants who spent zero nights indoors ( p < 0.01). Additionally, participants who experienced a conflict with a social contact in the past 30 days had lower emotional well-being scores than participants who experienced no conflict. Finally, women had worse general health and emotional well-being than men. Ecologically framed research about health and well-being among PEH is critically needed, especially as climate change threatens to increase the danger of many homeless environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary-Catherine Anderson & Ashley Hazel & Jessica M. Perkins & Zack W. Almquist, 2021. "The Ecology of Unsheltered Homelessness: Environmental and Social-Network Predictors of Well-Being among an Unsheltered Homeless Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7328-:d:590912
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Courtney Cronley & Amanda Fackler & Jennifer M. First & Sangwon Lee & Iris Tsouris, 2024. "Persons Experiencing Homelessness during Extreme Temperatures: Lessons for Promoting Socially Inclusive Adaptive Capacity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Anthonj, C. & Stanglow, S.N. & Grunwald, N., 2024. "Co-defining WASH (In)Security challenges among people experiencing homelessness. A qualitative study on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation from Bonn, Germany," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    3. 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.
    4. Derrien, Monika M. & Bratman, Gregory N. & Cerveny, Lee K. & Levy, Chaja & Blahna, Dale J. & Frank, Paulo & Serio, Naomi, 2024. "Public nature and health for homeless populations: Professionals’ perceptions of contingent human benefits and harms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    5. Renato M. Liboro & Sherry Bell & Jason Flatt & Jennifer Pharr & Brandon Ranuschio & Lianne Barnes & Andrea Navarro & Alexander Ribeiro & Nadia Sheik-Yosef & John M. Waldron, 2024. "Lifetime Experiences of Housing Insecurity among Gay Men Living with HIV at Midlife: An Exploratory Study Utilizing a Social Determinants of Health Perspective," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-20, August.

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