Abstract
Quality of life (QOL) is a key indicator in mental health planning, program evaluation, and evaluation of patient outcomes. Yet few studies have focused on QOL in homeless populations. More specifically, research has yet to identify profiles of homeless individuals based on their QOL using cluster analysis. This study developed a typology of QOL for a sample of 455 homeless individuals recruited from 27 community and public organizations in Quebec (Canada). The typology was developed based on QOL scores, as well as sociodemographic, clinical, and service use variables. Study participants had to be at least 18 years old, with current or previous experience of homelessness. A questionnaire including socio-demographics, residential history, service utilization, and health-related variables was administered. Four clusters were identified using a two-step cluster analysis. QOL was highest in the cluster consisting of older women with low functional disability, and relatively few episodes of homelessness. The second cluster with high QOL scores included individuals living in temporary housing with relatively few mental health or substance use disorders (SUDs). The third cluster with low QOL included middle-aged women living in temporary housing, with criminal records, personality disorders, and SUDs. QOL was also lower in the fourth cluster composed of individuals with multiple homeless episodes and complex health problems as well as high overall service use. Findings reinforced the importance of disseminating specific programs adapted to the diverse profiles of homeless individuals, with a view toward increasing their QOL.
Highlights
Quality of life (QOL) is one of the most important indicators in mental health planning, program evaluation, and assessment of patient outcomes [1]
The objective of this study was to build a typology based on QOL, sociodemographic and clinical variables, and service use for a sample of 455 homeless individuals in Quebec who were living in different types of accommodation
This study developed a typology for a sample of homeless individuals on the basis of QOL in relation to sociodemographic, clinical, and service use characteristics
Summary
Quality of life (QOL) is one of the most important indicators in mental health planning, program evaluation, and assessment of patient outcomes [1]. Objective QOL includes aspects of the physical environment and social functioning [2], whereas subjective QOL (SQOL) relates more to individual preferences, opinions, and life satisfaction [3]. Research on QOL has been conducted with patients affected by mental health disorders (MHDs) [4,5,6,7]; while studies on QOL and homelessness have focused on veterans [8,9,10], newly housed individuals who were previously homeless [11, 12], or homeless individuals with MHDs or substance use disorders (SUDs) [13, 14]. Few studies have focused on QOL in homeless populations.
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