Homelessness and psychological distress: Gendered patterns of mental health descriptions

Abstract Background Homelessness is linked to poverty, social disadvantage, and pre-existing mental illness, often worsening psychiatric distress. It profoundly affects mental health, with gender shaping distinct psychological experiences. This study explores how gender and prior suicidal ideation influence individuals’ perceptions of their emotional state and changes due to homelessness. We also examine key topics relevant to people experiencing homelessness and assess whether gender and past suicidal ideation affect their mental health descriptions. Methods In this study, 122 men and 69 women completed a structured survey on mental health and suicidal ideation. We analyzed their descriptions of mental health changes due to homelessness. Sentiment analysis categorized responses as positive or negative, and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) identified key topics. Results Three themes emerged from the LDA analysis: (1) Social Integration, (2) Relationships, and (3) Physical and Mental Health. For men, the dominant topic when describing their mental health concerns was Social Integration, except when the sentiment was negative and there was no previous suicidal ideation, in which case the primary concern was Relationships. In women, those with negative sentiment predominantly focused on Relationships, regardless of previous suicidal ideation. Women with positive sentiment, particularly those with previous suicidal ideation, also showed a stronger focus on Relationships. However, for women without previous suicidal ideation and positive sentiment, the most prominent concern shifted toward Physical and Mental Health. Conclusions This study underscores the complex interplay between gender, previous suicidal ideation, and mental health in individuals experiencing homelessness. The results highlight how these factors influence individuals’ perceptions of their emotional states, providing valuable insights for targeted support interventions for people experiencing homelessness. Key messages • Gender and suicidal ideation shape how homeless individuals perceive mental health changes. • Psychological problems vary by gender and history, thus tailored support for people experiencing homelessness is imperative.