Depression Severity Among U.S. Adults Receiving Government Housing Assistance: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the NHIS Database.

PURPOSE: The current study investigated the link between government housing assistance and depression among U.S. adults using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.

METHOD: Depression severity was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between housing assistance and depression, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS

Individuals receiving housing assistance were significantly more likely to experience moderate to severe depression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.77, p < 0.001). Poor health status was the strongest predictor of depression (OR = 12.11, p < 0.001), whereas older age, higher education, and marriage were linked to lower odds. Interaction analysis revealed that Hispanic individuals with some college education had higher odds of depression than non-Hispanic White individuals with less education.

CONCLUSION

Findings emphasize the need for mental health support within housing programs, particularly addressing disparities among vulnerable groups. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 63(6), 23-30.].