Does the relationship between affect and social interactions among adults experiencing homelessness differ during moments when at a shelter versus not?

Abstract

Abstract The prevalence of alcohol‐use disorders is higher amongst adults experiencing homelessness (AEH) compared with domiciled adults. Greater exposure to heavy drinkers increases personal risk for heavy alcohol use. AEH spend substantial periods of time at shelters and report greater pressure to use alcohol when near shelter locations, as well as greater negative affect when near a shelter. It is unclear if the relationship between affect and (1) interacting with people and (2) being near someone AEH drank alcohol with before differs when AEH are at a shelter versus not. AEH reporting alcohol misuse (n = 72, Mage = 47, 85% male, 68% non‐White) completed five daily smartphone‐based ecological momentary assessments over 28 days. Generalized multilevel modeling revealed that when AEH were interacting with someone they drank with before, they had significantly lower positive affect when at a shelter (b = −0.17, p = 0.05) versus when not (b = 0.00, p = 0.99). AEH are likely to interact with previous drinking partners while at shelters. It may be important to deliver real‐time treatment messages targeting affect in these moments, as well as deliver alcohol reduction/abstinence messages.

Keywords

• affect
• ecological momentary assessment
• homelessness
• shelter
• social interactions