Journal article
Socioeconomic challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic for Veterans with psychosis or recent homelessness
Health & social care in the community, Vol.30(5), pp.e2169-e2178
09/2022
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13655
PMCID: PMC9011530
PMID: 34806259
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing have directly impacted the socioeconomic well-being of most Americans. Veterans with psychosis (PSY) and Veterans who were recently housed (RHV) through a supportive housing programme may be especially vulnerable to experiencing negative socioeconomic effects of the pandemic. In this study, we investigated socioeconomic experiences and challenges during the pandemic in these two putatively vulnerable Veteran groups and in Veterans with no history of PSY or homeless (i.e., control Veterans, CTL). A total of 231 Veterans (81 PSY, 76 RHV, 64 CTL) participated in the baseline assessment, and 203 in the follow-up assessment (74 PSY, 63 RHV, 66 CTL). At both assessment points we obtained socioeconomic information, including personal finances, financial concerns, housing concerns, experience of material hardships, and employment status. All groups of Veterans reported socioeconomic challenges during the pandemic, but the pattern of effects differed across groups. Although RHV was in a similar position to the PSY group with respect to personal finances, they reported lower levels of financial well-being and were more prone to experiencing material hardships compared to the other two groups. CTL was most vulnerable to experiencing negative financial shocks. Contrary to expectations, PSY did not experience disproportionate material hardships compared to CTL. Veterans face significant socioeconomic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, RHV disproportionately experienced certain concerns and hardships, and these are a target for intervention by clinicians and service providers. PSY generally fared better than anticipated, possibly reflecting longstanding engagement with VA services that could serve to buffer the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Socioeconomic challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic for Veterans with psychosis or recent homelessness
- Creators
- Amanda McCleery - Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA, Center on Enhancement of Community Integration for Homeless Veterans Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USAJonathan K Wynn - Center on Enhancement of Community Integration for Homeless Veterans Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USADerek Novacek - Center on Enhancement of Community Integration for Homeless Veterans Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USAEric A Reavis - Center on Enhancement of Community Integration for Homeless Veterans Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USAJack Tsai - VA National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans Washington District of Columbia USA, School of Public Health University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston Texas USA, Department of Psychiatry Yale University School of Medicine New Haven Connecticut USAMichael F Green - Center on Enhancement of Community Integration for Homeless Veterans Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Health & social care in the community, Vol.30(5), pp.e2169-e2178
- DOI
- 10.1111/hsc.13655
- PMID
- 34806259
- PMCID
- PMC9011530
- NLM abbreviation
- Health Soc Care Community
- ISSN
- 0966-0410
- eISSN
- 1365-2524
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100006380, name: Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, award: D1875‐F; DOI: 10.13039/100000025, name: National Institute of Mental Health, award: K23MH108829
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/21/2021
- Date published
- 09/2022
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984213261202771
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