Age and gender differences in mental health and addictions of individuals experiencing homelessness in Spain: a 15-year retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

Studies in Europe and North America have shown that the mental health of individuals experiencing homelessness (IEHs) is worse than that of the general population. The objective of this study was to analyze the mental health of IEHs in Spain. A retrospective cohort study (observational study) of the health of 3,854 IEHs was conducted, according to age and gender, using diagnoses registered in the health service, over the 15 years between 2006 and 2020. Of this population, 31.6% were diagnosed with some sort of substance use disorder (SUD), mainly alcohol-related (18.1%), 20.1% had a mental disorder not related to drugs, and 11.5% had a dual disorder. Younger people had more mental health problems. This study—the first large study of IEHs in Spain—highlights significant differences in mental health and addictions according to gender and age. In general, Spanish IEHs have better mental health for all of the analyzed diagnostics than other populations internationally.

KEYWORDS:

• Homelessness
• mental health
• addictions
• gender
• age

Acknowledgments

Data collection contributors: Mercè Salvans, Anna Julià, Carles Fàbregas, Sandra Castillejos, Anna Calvet, Cristina Giralt, Marissa Ramírez, Laura Masferrer.

Dr. Susan Frekko provided feedback and English-language support for this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Fran Calvo

Dr. Fran Calvo, PhD, is lecturer and researcher in Pedagogy Studies Department of Universitat de Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

Rebeca Alfranca

Dr. Rebeca Alfranca, MD, is medical doctor in the Santa Clara primary care center of the Institut Català de la Salut in Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

Xavier Carbonell

Dr. Xavier Carbonell, PhD, is professor in Psychology Studies Department of the School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences of Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Elda Molina

Mrs. Elda Molina, MS, is master student in the master of Drug-Dependences of the Universitat of Barcelona and collaborator of the Department of Quality Assessment and Projects Promotion, of Health and Community Foundation, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Silvia Font-Mayolas

Dr. Sílvia Font-Mayolas is professor in Psychology Studies Department and the Quality of Life Research Institute Director of Universitat de Girona, Catalonia, Spain.