METHODS: Using a convergent, mixed-methods explanatory design, we conducted quantitative interviews with 164 participants) (n = 102 unhoused; n = 62 housed following homelessness) using a 92-item protocol involving demographic components and seven standardized measures of psychosocial well-being. A sub-sample (n = 32) was approached to participate in qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed by group (unhoused; housed). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics designed to generate insights into boredom, meaningful activity engagement, and their associations with psychosocial well-being during and following homelessness. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated at the stage of discussion.
RESULTS: Quantitative analyses revealed small to moderate correlations between boredom and increased hopelessness (rs = .376, p < .01), increased drug use (rs = .194, p < .05), and lowered mental well-being (rs = -.366, p < .01). There were no statistically significant differences between unhoused and housed participants on any standardized measures. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that housing status was not a significant predictor of boredom or meaningful activity engagement (p>.05). Qualitative interviews revealed profound boredom during and following homelessness imposing negative influences on mental well-being and driving substance use.
CONCLUSIONS: Boredom and meaningful activity are important outcomes that require focused attention in services designed to support individuals during and following homelessness. Attention to this construct in future research, practice, and policy has the potential to support the well-being of individuals who experience homelessness, and to contribute to efforts aimed at homelessness prevention.
方法:使用收敛,混合方法解释性设计,我们对164名参与者进行了定量访谈)(n=102名无住房;n=62名无家可归后有住房),使用92项方案,该方案涉及人口统计成分和7项标准化的社会心理健康指标.接触了一个子样本(n=32)参加定性访谈。按组(无住房;有住房)分析数据。使用旨在产生对无聊的见解的描述性统计来分析定量数据,有意义的活动参与,以及他们在无家可归期间和之后与社会心理健康的联系。使用主题分析对定性数据进行分析。定量和定性结果在讨论阶段进行了整合。
结果:定量分析显示无聊和绝望感增加之间存在小到中等的相关性(rs=.376,p<.01),吸毒增加(rs=.194,p<.05),并降低了心理健康(rs=-.366,p<.01)。在任何标准化措施上,无住房和有住房的参与者之间没有统计学上的显着差异。分层回归分析显示,住房状况不是无聊或有意义的活动参与的重要预测因子(p>.05)。定性访谈显示,无家可归期间和之后的无聊情绪对心理健康和驱动物质使用产生了负面影响。
结论:无聊和有意义的活动是重要的结果,需要在旨在为无家可归期间和之后的个人提供支持的服务中集中注意力。在未来的研究中注意这一结构,实践,政策有可能支持无家可归的人的福祉,并为旨在预防无家可归的努力做出贡献。