Comparisons of Social Support and Social Networks in Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Women
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
17 February 2020
Abstract
Social support is closely connected to mental health and well-being as well as experiences of housing vulnerability. This study explored differences between homeless and vulnerably housed women in their experiences of social support. Forty-nine homeless and 43 vulnerably housed women completed 3 measures to assess their social networks, social support networks, and global social support. Vulnerably housed women reported fewer social support network members than homeless women. Social support network size was found to be a predictor of global social support score. These findings suggest that housing status impacts social support in homeless and vulnerably housed women, which may have implications for their well-being.
Résumé
Le réseau social est associé avec la santé mentale et le bien-être, ainsi que les expériences de l’itinérance et de la vulnérabilité du logement. Cette étude expérimentale explore les différences entre les femmes sans-abri et les femmes dont le logement est précaire («femmes mal logées») ainsi que leurs expériences avec le réseau social. Quarante-neuf femmes sans-abri et quarante-trois femmes mal logées ont complété trois sondages pour évaluer leurs réseaux sociaux. Les femmes mal logées interagissent avec moins de membres du réseau social que les femmes sans-abri. La taille du réseau social est un indicateur du résultat global du réseau social. Les résultats indiquent que l’endroit du logement influence le réseau social des femmes sans-abri et mal logées, qui ont des conséquences sur leur bien-être.
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Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 38 • Number 3 • November 2019
Pages: 97 - 113
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Version of record online: 17 February 2020
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Stephanie Rattelade and Susan Farrell. 2019. Comparisons of Social Support and Social Networks in Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Women. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
38(3): 97-113. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2019-012
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