Housing stressors, social support and psychological distress

doi:10.1016/0277-9536(93)90099-P

Social Science & Medicine

Volume 37, Issue 5, September 1993, Pages 603-612

https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(93)90099-P Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper explores the links between housing stressors, social supports and psychological distress. It was hypothesised that exposure to housing stressors would be significantly related to psychological distress, but that the adverse effects of housing stressors would be moderated by perceptions of social support resources. In other words, the stress/symptom relationship would be attenuated for individuals who believe that they have active and supportive social relationships. The results of a study conducted in the two New Zealand cities of Auckland and Christchurch partially confirmed this hypothesis, indicating that social support plays a role in mitigating the adverse effects of housing stressors. However, this relationship depends on the severity of the housing stressors. Among our respondents, the presence of social support was indeed associated with reduced symptom levels for those exposed to moderate housing stressors. However, among respondents subjected to high levels of housing stressors, social support was not associated with reduced psychological distress, indicating the need for a more specific policy response to the issue of seriously deficient housing.

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Housing stressors, social support and psychological distress

Abstract

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

The production of homelessness: from individual failure to system inadequacies

Hsing Studs

Trends in the residential segregation of Blacks, Hispanics and Asians: 1970–1980

Am. Soc. Rev.

Housing and Homelessness: A Feminist Perspective

Accommodating Inequality: Gender and Housing

The location of marginalised groups in the inner city

Envt. Plan. D

Economic distress and family relations: a review of the 1980s

J. Marriage Fam.

The Stress of Life

Work Stress and Social Support

Social support, occupational stress and health

J. Hlth Soc. Behav.

Community stressors, mediating conditions, and well-being in urban neighbourhoods

J. Comm. Psych.

The effect of social support in moderating the health consequences of unemployment

J. Hlth Soc. Behav.

Variability of stress effects among men experiencing job loss

Social class and mental illness reconsidered: the role of economic stress and social support

J. Hlth Soc. Behav.

Longitudinal effects of income maintenance upon psychological distress

Soc. Sci. Forum

Social support in the adjustment of pregnant adolescents: Assessment issues

Psychological assets, life crisis and prognosis of pregnancy

Am. J. Epidem.

The Divorce Revolution

Marital status and depression: the importance of coping resources

Soc. Forces

Effects of stress and social supports on mother-child interactions in single and two-parent families

Child Dev.

Social support and the cancer patient

Cancer

Long-term adjustment to physical disability: the role of social support, perceived control, and self-blame

J. Pers. Soc. Psych.

Urban liveability: a review

Urb. Geog.

Puzzles in the study of daily hassles

J. Behav. Med.

Mental health and the urban environment: some doubts and second thoughts

J. Hlth Soc. Behav.

Environment, housing and health

Urban Studs

Social integration and shared living space: psychiatric impairment among single men

Housing Studs

Housing and health: a review and research agenda

The Housing Environment and Family Life

The housing environment and women's health

J. Hlth Soc. Behav.