The association of sleep with physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness

Nhu Huynh; Darla E Kendzor; Chaelin K Ra; Summer G Frank-Pearce; Adam C Alexander; Michael S Businelle; David R Samson

doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2023.10.004

The association of sleep with physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness

Sleep Health. 2024 Feb;10(1):48-53. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.10.004. Epub 2023 Nov 21.

Authors

Nhu Huynh¹, Darla E Kendzor², Chaelin K Ra³, Summer G Frank-Pearce⁴, Adam C Alexander⁵, Michael S Businelle⁵, David R Samson¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Electronic address: darla-kendzor@ouhsc.edu.
³ Section of Behavioral Sciences, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
⁴ TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
⁵ Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.

PMID: 37989628
PMCID: PMC10922033 (available on 2025-02-01)
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.10.004

Abstract

Background: Sleep deprivation is a critical risk factor for physical and mental health problems. The current study examined whether sleep problems were related to housing status and physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness.

Methods: Data were collected via an anonymous survey completed by adults accessing services at a day shelter in Oklahoma City, OK. Demographic characteristics, sleep problems, days of poor physical and mental health, and self-rated health were assessed and compared across housing subgroups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine potential associations between sleep and health.

Results: Participants (N = 404) were predominantly male (71.0%) and racially minoritized (57.4%) with an average age of 47.0 (SD=11.6) years. Days of unintentional sleep over the past 30days differed significantly by housing status. Logistic regression analyses indicated that short sleep duration of ≤6 hours was associated with poorer self-rated health and more days of poor physical health over the past 30days compared to those who reported an optimal sleep duration of 7-9 hours. Additionally, reporting ≥1 day of unintentional daytime sleep was associated with more days of poor mental and physical health over the past 30-day. Reporting more days of inadequate sleep was associated with poorer self-rated health, and more days of poor physical and mental health over the past 30days.

Conclusion: Sleep problems were associated with poorer physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness. Safe environments where adults experiencing homelessness can sleep comfortably and without interruption may be needed to support good physical and mental health.

Keywords: Health; Homeless; Housing; Sleep.

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Humans
Ill-Housed Persons*
Male
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Sleep
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep Wake Disorders* / epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

MeSH terms

Grants and funding