Pandemic, homelessness and mental health

The role of social support and relationships

Authors

  • Esteban Sánchez-Moreno Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)
  • Iria Noa de la Fuente-Roldán Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6740-649X

Keywords:

homelessness, mental health, social support, social relations, pandemic, COVID-19

Abstract

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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Author Biographies

Esteban Sánchez-Moreno, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Research Institute for Development and Cooperation (IUDC-UCM)and Department of Sociology: Methodology and Theory. Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Donoso Cortés, 63. 28015. Madrid (Spain). Email: essanche@ucm.es

Social exclusion, social inequalities in health, ageing, ethnic diversity, social networks and social support. Latest publications:La investigación sobre soledad y redes de apoyo social en las personas mayores: una revisión sistemática en Europa (2023); Loneliness among indigenous people in Chile (2023); Income inequalities, social support and depressive symptoms among older adults in Europe: a multilevel cross-sectional study (2022); From income inequalities to social exclusion: the impact of the Great Recession on self-rated health in Spain during the onset of the economic crisis (2021).

Iria Noa de la Fuente-Roldán, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Department of Social Work and Social Services. Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Faculty of Social Work. Somosaguas Campus. 28223. Pozuelo de Alarcón. Madrid (Spain). Email. i.delafuente@ucm.es.

Social inequalities, homelessness and residential exclusion. Latest publications: Una aproximación a la exclusión residencial que afecta a las mujeres migrantes: el sinhogarismo oculto (2023); Mental Health and Homelessness in the Community of Madrid (Spain): The Impact of Discrimination and Violence (2023); La realidad conceptual del sinhogarismo (2023); The Great Recession and Social Exclusion: Homeless People in the City of Madrid (2022); Una aproximación al contexto sociohistórico del sinhogarismo (2022).

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Published

2024-01-31

How to Cite

Sánchez-Moreno, E., & de la Fuente-Roldán, I. N. (2024). Pandemic, homelessness and mental health: The role of social support and relationships. Revista Prisma Social, (44), 58–83. Retrieved from https://revistaprismasocial.es/article/view/5274