Content Analysis of Health Concerns among Housing First Residents with a History of Alcohol Use Disorder

• Published in: Journal of health care for the poor and underserved Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 463 - 486
• Main Authors: Mackelprang, Jessica L, Clifasefi, Seema L, Grazioli, Véronique S, Collins, Susan E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Johns Hopkins University Press 2021
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aging; Alcohol related disorders; Alcohol use; Alcoholism; Alcoholism - epidemiology; Alcohols; Case management; Chronic illnesses; Content analysis; Counseling; Drug use; End of life; End of life decisions; Grief; Health education; Health problems; Health promotion; Health services; Homeless people; Homelessness; Hospice care; Housing; Humans; Ill-Housed Persons; Independent Living; Mortality; Onsite; Population; Psychologists; Qualitative research; Residents; Social Problems; Vulnerability; United States > US; Alaska
• DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2021.0035
• ISSN: 1049-2089; 1548-6869

Previous research has utilized survey and administrative data to document health problems among Housing First (HF) residents; however, little is known about residents' personal perspectives on their health. The purpose of this study was to utilize conventional content analysis to analyze health-related concerns among HF residents with histories of alcohol use disorder. Between June and December 2013, we interviewed 44 adults who had histories of chronic homelessness and alcohol use disorder and were residing in single-site HF in Seattle, Washington. Responses centered on five primary topics: alcohol-related harm, perceived health vulnerability, concern for fellow residents' health, end of life, and health and safety promotion. HF residents experience complex alcohol-exacerbated health difficulties and existing health services may not meet the needs of those whose health is particularly compromised. Considering that HF facilitates aging in place, end-of-life care and grief counseling should be integrated into HF services.