Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The reality of being homeless and the circumstance leading to experiencing homelessness render this population at risk of a multitude of mental and behavioural health disorders. Furthermore, the stigma associated with experiencing homelessness can lead to difficulties in obtaining employment, reduced access to housing, poor support for treatment, interpersonal rejection, and/or poor physical and mental health outcomes. This often results in the individual self-stigmatising and experiencing intense shame, resulting in negative thoughts that emerge from identification with a stigmatised group and their resulting in negative psychological and behavioural consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single one-to-one session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention to promote well-being and mitigate the deleterious effects of shame and self-stigma for individuals experiencing homelessness. A randomised multiple-baseline design was utilised. Participants were 9 adults experiencing homelessness in Dublin. Internalised shame, depression, anxiety, psychological, emotional and social well-being, cognitive fusion, psychological flexibility, valued action, and openness to experience were measured at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-week follow up. Daily measures of self-reported shame and experiential avoidance were collected via text. Qualitative interviews were also conducted post-intervention and at follow up assessing impact and ease of application of the intervention strategies. Results showed that the intervention improved; psychological flexibility, resilience, positive coping strategies, quality of life, meaning in life, self-esteem, self-compassion, and decreased; levels of anxiety, depression, shame, and self-stigma in all participants.