Profiles of quality of life among residents in permanent supportive housing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study identified profiles of quality of life (QoL) deterioration among permanent supportive housing (PSH) residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, which hasn’t been reported on yet. Between November 2020 and April 2022, 231 PSH residents from Quebec (Canada) were interviewed. Patient profiles were identified with Cluster Analysis based on the participants’ sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and service use were compared (p < 0.05). Three QoL profiles were identified, with 62% of sample reporting QoL deterioration. Profile 1 (26% of sample) included middle-aged men living mostly in congregate PSH since 5 + years, having high social support, few health problems, and perceiving low deterioration of their health conditions and QoL. Profile 2 (44%) included residents living in PSH less than 2 years, with low social support, highly affected by serious mental disorders, few by COVID-19, perceiving deterioration of their mental health conditions and QoL. Profile 3 (30%) included younger residents living in congregate PSH for 2–5 years, with low social support, high health problems, and perceived deterioration of health conditions and QoL. The study underlined the importance of sustaining housing and care access in a pandemic context for individuals with the most unmet needs, more at risk of QoL deterioration.