Frequent relocation and depression: Is there a connection among impoverished groups?

Although prior research suggests that relocation and moving is associated with mental health problems including anxiety and schizophrenia, much of this research is based on population studies and has focused on moving as an infrequent stressful event. There is a lack of research that has explored the impact of frequent relocation on psychological well-being of urban, disadvantaged groups. In a sample of drug users and their social network members (n=1,024), we assessed the relationship between residential transience, defined as moving two or more times in the past 6 months, and depressive symptoms. Since women have higher rates of depression, we stratified the sample by gender. Even after adjusting for homelessness, transient men were 2.34 times more likely to report depressive symptoms compared to non-transient men. Also, women who moved frequently were 3.29 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that a broader definition of housing instability is needed to identify individuals who are transient and in need of mental health services. In addition to accessible mental health services, programs and policies that address sustainable housing are needed.