Housing instability and mental distress among US veterans

Am J Public Health. 2013 Dec;103 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S213-6. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301277. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Abstract

Evidence has suggested increased risk for homelessness and suicide among US veterans, but little is known about the associations between housing instability and psychological distress (including suicidal ideation). We examined frequent mental distress (FMD) and suicidal ideation among a probability-based sample of 1767 Nebraska veterans who participated in the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey who had and had not experienced housing instability in the past 12 months. Veterans experiencing housing instability had increased odds of FMD and suicidal ideation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
  • Female
  • Housing / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / psychology*
  • Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nebraska / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology*
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult