Multi-trajectory group profiles of well-being and associated predictors among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness: findings from the At Home/Chez Soi study, Toronto site

PURPOSE: To conduct a multi-dimensional and time-patterned analysis to identify distinct well-being trajectory profiles over a 6-year follow-up period among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness. METHODS: Data from 543 participants of the At Home Chez Soi study’s Toronto site were examined over a 6-year follow-up period, including measures of quality of life, community functioning, housing stability, and substance use. Well-being trajectories were identified using Group-Based Trajectory Modelling. Multinomial regression was used to identify predictor variables that were associated with each well-being trajectory profile. RESULTS: Four well-being profiles were identified: low well-being, moderate well-being, good well-being, and high well-being. Factors associated with a greater likelihood of following a better well-being profile included receiving Housing First, reporting female gender and non-white ethnicity, having post-secondary studies, and reporting a high resilience level. Concurrently, factors associated with a lower likelihood of better well-being profiles were having a history of chronic homelessness, experiences of discrimination in the healthcare setting, having comorbid mental disorders and a high level of symptom severity, and reporting a history of traumatic brain injury and childhood adversity. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals experiencing homelessness follow distinct well-being profiles associated with their socio-demographic characteristics, health status, trauma history, resilience capabilities, and access to housing and support services. This work can inform integrated housing and support services to enhance the well-being trajectories of individuals experiencing homelessness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: At Home/Chez Soi trial was registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN42520374, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN42520374. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00127-021-02093-x.