Mental Health of People Experiencing Homelessness and the Role of Hopelessness, Alcohol Use Disorder and Victimisation

ABSTRACT

Background

Homelessness is an urgent social issue that is often linked to poor mental health. Despite their vulnerability, people experiencing homelessness remain an understudied group.

Aims

This study examined the mental health of people experiencing homelessness and its association with victimisation, alcohol use disorder, hopelessness and sociodemographic factors.

Methods

Data were collected from 112 people experiencing homelessness in Berlin, Germany (40% women, average age 44, homeless for 4 years). Participants completed a set of validated questionnaires (e.g., Symptom Checklist—Revised for mental health problems).

Results

Results indicate significantly elevated levels of mental health problems, hopelessness and alcohol use disorder in the sample, along with high rates of victimisation. Correlational and regression analyses revealed significant associations between mental health and victimisation but not with alcohol use disorder and hopelessness. Associations with sociodemographics suggest that younger people and people with a migration background are particularly affected by mental health problems.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions that address social and structural inequalities to improve the mental health of this highly vulnerable population. More research with larger, culturally sensitive samples and longitudinal designs is needed to better understand and address the complex interplay between homelessness and mental health.