Religiosity Among Adults Who Are Chronically Homeless: Association With Clinical and Psychosocial Outcomes

Objective:

This study examined changes in religious faith among homeless people enrolled in a supported housing program and their association with clinical and psychosocial outcomes.

Methods:

A total of 582 clients at 11 sites were separated into three groups based on whether they reported a decrease, an increase, or no change in their religiosity scores at one-year follow-up. Groups were compared on outcomes controlled for baseline measures.

Results:

At one-year follow-up, participants who gained faith reported doing more volunteer work, being more engaged in community activities, and having a higher quality of life than those who lost faith. Participants who reported a large gain in faith had better mental health ratings than those who reported a large loss in faith.

Conclusions:

Religious faith is a correlate of improvement among chronically homeless adults and may influence clinical and psychosocial outcomes. (Psychiatric Services 62:1222–1224, 2011)