Pandemic, homelessness and mental health
The role of social support and relationships
Keywords:
homelessness, mental health, social support, social relations, pandemic, COVID-19Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing mental health and the dimensions that contribute to its improvement in the general population has been a topic of special interest. This interest has been less in relation to people in situations of homelessness. This paper analyses the role of social support and social relationships in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the homeless people in the Community of Madrid. The research follows a mixed methodology (questionnaire survey; n=641 and semi-structured in-depth interview; n=18). The results show the high psychological deterioration, the low levels of social support and the relational precariousness of the homeless people. Isolation and deterioration are structured by residential situation, origin, age, and gender. Furthermore, it is found that, as the levels of social support increase, the probability of psychological deterioration decreases. Similarly, after the pandemic, worsening relationships with children are associated with poorer levels of mental health. These findings confirm that relational aspects are key elements in improving the psychological well-being of homeless people.
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