Parental mental health and associations between living in temporary accommodation and socio-political determinants during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

576 Figure 1Is the adjusted odds ratio (OR) plot showing the odds of an increased rank of depression severity with living in Temporary Accommodation as the main exposure and each predictior variable given all the other variables were held constant in the model[Figure omitted. See PDF] 576 Figure 2Is the adjusted odds ratio (OR) plot showing the odds of an increased rank of anxiety severity with living in temporary accommodation as the main exposure and each predictior variable given all the other variables were held constant in the model[Figure omitted. See PDF]22.9% and 20.0% of TA parents/caregivers had severe anxiety and moderate anxiety compared to 4.0% and 25.0% of non-TA parents/caregivers, respectively. For parents/caregivers living in TA, the odds of a more severe anxiety rank were 2.46 times higher (95%CI1.27–4.75). Other significant factors for anxiety were Very Low Food Security (OR 4.45, 95%CI3.26–6.08);families ‘finding it very difficult’ financially (OR 1.62, 95%CI0.96–2.73). [Figure 2]ConclusionFamilies living in TA had a greater odds of poor parental mental health outcomes, which was further compounded by factors including NRPF status, financial insecurity, food insecurity and poor housing environments. Poor parental mental health is an adverse childhood experience (ACE) directly impacting both the health and wellbeing of the parent and child throughout the life course. Targeted policies and tailored community-based mental health strategies, including the co-location of mental health and housing support within settings already accessed by TA families with under 5s, are vitally needed, since this vulnerable group is at higher risk of poorer parental mental health and a higher ACE count, which is exacerbated by the unsuit ble and unsafe TA environment.