Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized control trials of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for homeless adults

Abstract

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of psychosocial interventions for homeless adults on their psychosocial outcomes. <br>DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analyses were performed for critical appraisal and synthesis of the included studies. <br>DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of studies published before 10 September 2018 was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. <br>REVIEW METHODS: The review included randomized controlled trials conducting psychosocial interventions and assessing psychosocial outcomes for homeless adults. After systematically describing study and intervention characteristics, we conducted meta-analyses by the type of outcome and subgroup meta-analyses by the type of intervention and outcome. Fourteen studies were included in this review and 11 were included in the meta-analyses. <br>RESULTS: A significant effect of psychosocial interventions in reducing anxiety and enhancing mental health status among homeless adults was noted. <br>CONCLUSION: The meta-analyses showed that psychosocial interventions may reduce anxiety and enhance the mental health status of homeless people. Specifically, we suggest that relaxation response training may be effective in improving anxiety and mental health status and cognitive behavioural therapy may reduce anxiety. <br>IMPACT: Although psychosocial interventions for homeless persons have been implemented for a decade, their impact for psychosocial outcomes among homeless adults has not been evaluated. This review suggest that psychosocial interventions may improve anxiety and mental health status among homeless adults. The findings of the present study may provide directions for developing psychosocial interventions to help vulnerable homeless adults in managing psychological outcomes.