Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Depression is a major contributor to disability among people experiencing homelessness or living in precarious housing (i.e. housing that lacks security or stability). Although limited, past research suggests that depression in these populations is related to physical health and psychological trauma. However, we do not fully understand the causes and characteristics of depression in this group of people, and this information is essential for the design of effective supports to be successful. My goal is to examine the predictors and symptoms of depression in those who are homeless or living in precarious housing. In a community-based sample from an impoverished neighbourhood, I will: 1) evaluate the value of the Beck Depression Inventory (a self-report questionnaire) in measuring depressive symptom severity, 2) describe experiences and illnesses that increase or decrease depressive symptom severity, and 3) learn how these experiences and illnesses affect specific depressive symptoms (e.g. suicidal ideation). I will use data collected over a 5-year period from the "Hotel Study", which works with 475 participants living or working in an impoverished neighbourhood in Vancouver, Canada. The Hotel Study is ongoing, and participants complete monthly assessments of health and functioning that evaluate psychiatric symptoms, medical conditions, drug use, trauma, and quality of life. Overall, I aim to better understand the experience of having depression in those who are homeless or precariously housed. I expect that depressive symptom severity in this group is increased by drug use, physical illness, and trauma, and decreased by greater peer support as a protective factor. I also expect the symptoms of guilt and suicidal ideation to be particularly important in this group. Ultimately, this research will contribute to the advancement of specialized mental healthcare for the 235,000 Canadians who experience homelessness or precarious housing each year.