Maternal Mental Health during Children's First Year of Life: Association with Receipt of Section 8 Rental Assistance

Abstract

Prior studies evaluating housing programs have found varied results for the impact of improved housing on maternal mental health. This study evaluated data from 169 families who participated in Hawaii's Healthy Start Program. The study's objective was to determine whether receipt of Section 8 rental assistance in the first year of a child's life decreased the risk of poor maternal mental health. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the association of Section 8 housing receipt with poor mental health. Overall, 50% of mothers had poor mental health at baseline, and 32% reported receipt of Section 8 housing at follow-up. Mothers who received Section 8 housing were significantly less likely to have poor maternal mental health at follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = .40; 95% confidence interval, .16–.97; p < .05). Receipt of Section 8 rental assistance in the first year of a child's life may reduce the risk of poor mental health for mothers in housing need.