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Simard CO, Riva M, Dufresne P, Perreault K, Muckle G, Poliakova N, Desrochers-Couture M, Fletcher C, Moisan C, Fraser S, Bélanger R, Courtemanche Y, Bignami S. The psychosocial dimension of housing in Nunavik: does social support vary with household crowding? CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2024; 115:56-65. [PMID: 36534308 PMCID: PMC10830948 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-022-00716-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies show that living in overcrowded households can contribute to the erosion of social support, which is an important factor in health and well-being. In this study, we examine the relationship between household crowding and social support for Inuit living in Nunavik (hereafter referred to as Nunavimmiut), a region where housing shortages are considered a serious public health problem. We assess whether overcrowding is associated with lower levels of perceived social support and whether this association varies by gender and age group. METHODS Cross-sectional data are from Qanuilirpitaa? the 2017 Nunavik Health Survey (N = 1306; aged 16 years and older). A perceived social support index was derived from answers to questions related to three different components of social support: positive interaction, emotional support, and love and affection. Associations between overcrowding (more than one person per room) and perceived social support were assessed using weighted linear and logistic regressions, adjusted for several factors. Sex- and age-stratified analyses were also conducted. RESULTS Nunavimmiut report significantly lower levels of social support when living in overcrowded households, independently of other covariates. Analyses stratified by sex and age further show that the detrimental association between overcrowding and perceived social support is higher and stronger for men and older adults (both men and women 55 years and older). CONCLUSION Overcrowding is associated with lower levels of perceived social support, which is a key component of health for the general population and for Nunavimmiut. Future research should examine the factors creating stronger associations between overcrowding and lower social support for men and older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles-Olivier Simard
- Département de démographie, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, 3150 Jean Brillant St, Montreal, QC, H3T 1N8, Canada.
| | - Mylene Riva
- Canada Research Chair in Housing, Community, and Health; Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Karine Perreault
- École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- École de psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Natalia Poliakova
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Christopher Fletcher
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Moisan
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Fraser
- Faculté des arts et des sciences - École de psychoéducation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Richard Bélanger
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Simona Bignami
- Département de démographie, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, 3150 Jean Brillant St, Montreal, QC, H3T 1N8, Canada
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Perreault K, Dufresne P, Potvin L, Riva M. Housing as a determinant of Inuit mental health: associations between improved housing measures and decline in psychological distress after rehousing in Nunavut and Nunavik. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2023; 114:241-253. [PMID: 36214994 PMCID: PMC10036679 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-022-00701-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTERVENTION In 2014-2015, more than 400 public housing units were constructed in Nunavut and Nunavik, two of the four Inuit regions in Canada. This provided the opportunity to assess the impact of improved housing conditions from a population health perspective in 12 Inuit communities where housing needs were the most severe. The aim of the research is to examine the associations between changes in housing conditions and changes in psychological distress pre-post rehousing. METHODS A pre-post uncontrolled study was conducted in collaboration with Nunavut- and Nunavik-based organizations. Applicants at the top of public housing waitlists were recruited by local housing officers; participants completed questionnaires 1-6 months before rehousing, and 15-18 months after. Change in psychological distress was measured with the Kessler 6-item scale. Changes in three housing measures were examined: number of adults per household, number of children per household, and sense of home score. For each housing measure, a categorical variable stratified participants into three categories. The reference category included participants reporting significant change in the concerned housing measure; the two other categories included participants reporting little or no change. Associations were tested with linear multilevel regression models for change. RESULTS A total of 102 Inuit adults completed the study. A reduction in the number of adults per household (living with 2 adults or less after rehousing) and an increase in sense of home were associated with significant decline in psychological distress pre-post rehousing (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Increased investments leading to such improvements in housing circumstances are promising ways to promote mental health in Inuit regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Perreault
- School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique - CreSP, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | - Philippe Dufresne
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Louise Potvin
- School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique - CreSP, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mylène Riva
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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