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Subjective Quality of Life Among Individuals who are Homeless: A Review of Current Knowledge

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Abstract

The purpose of this article was to review the current literature on subjective quality of life (SQOL) in individuals who are homeless, with a focus on differences in SQOL (a) between homeless individuals and the general population, (b) based on housing situation, and (c) associated with demographic characteristics (such as age and gender), physical and mental health, and external variables such as service program type. A literature search was conducted of the online databases PubMed and PsycInfo for relevant studies published from January 1981 to August 2011. Although this review showed that individuals who are homeless tended to have lower levels of SQOL compared to the general population or housed individuals, it was also evident that our current understanding of the relationships between SQOL and various demographic, health, and other variables is based on very limited information. More information about the relationships between various characteristics and experiences of individuals who are homeless and SQOL is clearly needed to aid researchers, service providers, and policy-makers in addressing the needs of this population and examining the effectiveness of interventions to end homelessness and improve health among homeless individuals.

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Notes

  1. There is a large body of literature that addresses the extent to which the terms ‘quality of life’ and ‘life satisfaction’ are, or are not, equivalent, but which is beyond the scope of this paper. In most of the studies discussed here, ‘quality of life’ was rated in terms of ‘satisfaction’. Thus the terms ‘quality of life’ and ‘life satisfaction’ will be used interchangeably for the purposes of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ECPS, University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Anita M. Hubley & Lara B. Russell

  2. Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Studies, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, 620B-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada

    Anita Palepu

  3. Centre for Research on Inner City Health, The Keenan Research Centre at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada

    Stephen W. Hwang

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  1. Anita M. Hubley
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  2. Lara B. Russell
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Correspondence to Anita M. Hubley.

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Hubley, A.M., Russell, L.B., Palepu, A. et al. Subjective Quality of Life Among Individuals who are Homeless: A Review of Current Knowledge. Soc Indic Res 115, 509–524 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-9998-7

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