The Moderating Role of Spirituality upon the Relationship Between Discrimination and Mental Health among Persons without Homes

Abstract

Homelessness is an ever expanding and complex phenomena that adversely affects the well-being of individuals and society. Research suggests the experience of homelessness and its correlates, including discrimination, are especially detrimental to mental health. However, the prevalence of discrimination endured by the Unhoused Community is unclear. There is also a dearth of research concerning factors that may promote resilience in the face of these stressors. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to determine the extent of discrimination experienced by Persons without Homes and assess the potential of spirituality to buffer the association between discrimination and mental health. A quantitative analysis of responses from 206 participants revealed the correlational and moderational effect of various aspects of spirituality on discrimination and its association with self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. As hypothesized, higher levels of discrimination were significantly correlated with lower levels of self-esteem, greater levels of anxiety, and more depressive symptomatology among Persons without Homes. In addition, all five aspects of spirituality measured (spiritual belief, private spiritual behavior, public spiritual behavior, spiritual social support, and daily spiritual experiences) had a significant moderating effect on the adverse association of discrimination on depression. Two aspects of spirituality (spiritual belief and public spiritual behavior) also significantly moderated the negative association of discrimination on self-esteem. In summary, various aspects of spirituality attenuated the adverse association between discrimination and mental health. These findings have multiple implications for future policy, research, clinical work, social service delivery, and pastoral care.