This qualitative study explored peer specialists' contributions to a healthy lifestyle intervention for obese/overweight individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) living in supportive housing. Intervention participants, peer specialists, and supervisors were interviewed and a grounded model emerged from the data identifying essential interpersonal attributes of the peer specialistparticipant relationship. Peer specialists' disclosure of their own experiences making health behaviors changes was critical for building participants' motivation and ability to try lifestyle changes. Findings can inform peer specialist training and practice standards and facilitate the expansion of peer-delivered interventions to improve the physical health of people with SMI.
Background and Objectives
Adults who have experienced chronic homelessness are considered to be “old” by age 50 due to accelerated aging. While permanent supportive housing (PSH) has been found effective for these individuals, there is limited focus on the needs of adults “aging in place” in PSH. This study examined (1) how older adults in PSH identify and rank their life priorities, (2) how they describe these priorities in their own words, and (3) how life course adversity deepens an understanding of these priorities.
Research Design and Methods
A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used in which qualitative case study analyses informed by a life course perspective provided a deeper understanding of how 14 older residents of PSH viewed their life priorities using quantitative card-sort rankings of 12 life domains.
Results
Housing, family, mental health, physical health, and partner were the most frequently endorsed life priorities. Four themes emerged from the cross-case analyses: “aging in, aging out,” “carefully restoring relationships,” “life goes on,” and “housing is fundamental.” Convergent findings indicated that life adversity—social losses and interrupted lives—influenced both the high- and low-ranked card-sort priorities.
Discussion and Implications
This study demonstrated that participants were aware of their advancing years yet they sought to overcome adversity and losses through maintaining mental health and sobriety, improving physical health, and cautiously rebuilding relationships. As the numbers of older homeless rise, the inclusion of age-related services will be an important component of PSH services for residents as they age.
Aims
This study explored community integration within a Moving On initiative that assisted individuals with the transition from permanent supportive housing (PSH) to more independent housing without service requirements.
Methods
Participants completed baseline interviews while in PSH (n = 90) and, for those who moved on, a follow‐up 1‐year post‐move (n = 45). Bivariate analyses and OLS regression were used to examine community integration outcomes and potential correlates.
Results
For participants who moved on, subjective social quality of life and sense of community were higher post‐move, while physical integration decreased, and time spent at home increased. Gender, mastery, and housing quality were associated with community integration post‐move.
Conclusion
Moving On did not adversely impact most aspects of community integration, though PSH residents may need more support to facilitate participation in routine activities outside their home post‐move. Findings also highlight the importance of supporting mastery given its potential role in community integration.
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