Homelessness, Mental Health and Suicidal Ideation in Barcelona: A Gender Perspective Study

Abstract Background The main objective of this study is to analyze the differentiated vulnerability of women living on the streets in Barcelona in terms of suicidal ideation and its association with mental health. Methods A quantitative longitudinal study including a convenience sample of the homeless population in Barcelona (Spain), with preliminary data from 102 women and 216 men. Structured surveys collect information using validated scales (mania, anxiety and depression data are gathered using the Patient Mania Questionnaire (PMQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)), as well as self-reported information to measure suicidal ideation in the last year and gender. Finally, logistic regression and Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) were used to explore the study's objective. Results Preliminary results show relevant differences between men and women in homelessness regarding suicidal ideation, lower prevalence among men (21.2% vs 38.6%, PR: 0.64 (0.46 - 0.91)). Generally, depression seems to be a risk factor to suicidal ideation (PR = 1.11 for women, PR = 1.08 for men), in addiction, mania seems to be a protective factor for men (PR = 0.95). LPA analysis suggested 2 profiles to differentiate within individuals exhibiting suicidal ideation. ANOVA analysis confirmed the significance of those 2 profiles (p-value<0.001), while gender was not significative, for each mental health disorder. However, the interaction between the profiles and gender is statistically significant in the depression model (p-value<0.001). Conclusions The significant interaction between profile and gender in the case of depression suggests that the effects of latent profiles on depression are not the same for men and women. This could imply that, although both genders have two common profiles of suicidal ideation, the severity or pattern of depression may differ based on gender within those profiles. Key messages • There is higher prevalence of suicidal ideation among homeless women, with depression being a risk factor for both men and women. • The effects of suicidal ideation latent profiles on depression are not the same for men and women.