Exploring Stress Management and Coping Strategies Among Recently Housed and Unhoused Individuals: A Community-Based Intervention Series
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION. Unhoused and recently housed individuals experience significantly higher levels of stress due to instability, limited resources, and barriers to healthcare access. Chronic stress can negatively impact mental health, occupational participation, and overall quality of life. Currently, there is limited research examining structured stress-management interventions within this population. This study explores occupational therapy's role in addressing stress among individuals participating in a community-based wellness program.
PURPOSE. We assessed whether the implementation of stress management interventions would decrease stress in the unhoused and recently housed population.
METHOD. Members from Depaul’s Wellness Program completed a stress self-assessment, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), as a pre-test followed by a four-week stress management intervention series. After the final session, participants completed a post-test (PSS-10).
RESULTS. Eight participants completed the pre- and post-test assessments as well as participated in the group intervention series. Post-test scores revealed a small decrease in self-reported stress scores for the group (pre-test avg. = 17; post-test avg. = 14.13). Although there was a slight decrease in participants’ average scores, the results of the study were not significant (p = .261). Qualitative observations showed that participants connected educational material provided to them in our sessions to other community-based wellness groups and they made frequent statements of satisfaction regarding the materials, information, and activities.
DISCUSSION. By providing stress management tools to this study sample, it is our hope that we have increased their quality of life, improved advocacy, and provided a sense of community between the researchers and the participants.
Recommended Citation
LaChute, Caitlyn; Couvillion, Braxton; Landry, Kylee; and Joseph, Michael, "Exploring Stress Management and Coping Strategies Among Recently Housed and Unhoused Individuals: A Community-Based Intervention Series" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 10.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/10
Exploring Stress Management and Coping Strategies Among Recently Housed and Unhoused Individuals: A Community-Based Intervention Series
INTRODUCTION. Unhoused and recently housed individuals experience significantly higher levels of stress due to instability, limited resources, and barriers to healthcare access. Chronic stress can negatively impact mental health, occupational participation, and overall quality of life. Currently, there is limited research examining structured stress-management interventions within this population. This study explores occupational therapy's role in addressing stress among individuals participating in a community-based wellness program.
PURPOSE. We assessed whether the implementation of stress management interventions would decrease stress in the unhoused and recently housed population.
METHOD. Members from Depaul’s Wellness Program completed a stress self-assessment, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), as a pre-test followed by a four-week stress management intervention series. After the final session, participants completed a post-test (PSS-10).
RESULTS. Eight participants completed the pre- and post-test assessments as well as participated in the group intervention series. Post-test scores revealed a small decrease in self-reported stress scores for the group (pre-test avg. = 17; post-test avg. = 14.13). Although there was a slight decrease in participants’ average scores, the results of the study were not significant (p = .261). Qualitative observations showed that participants connected educational material provided to them in our sessions to other community-based wellness groups and they made frequent statements of satisfaction regarding the materials, information, and activities.
DISCUSSION. By providing stress management tools to this study sample, it is our hope that we have increased their quality of life, improved advocacy, and provided a sense of community between the researchers and the participants.