Correlates of Frailty Among Homeless Adults. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salem, Benissa E.; Nyamathi, Adeline M.; Brecht, Mary-Lynn; Phillips, Linda R.; Mentes, Janet C.; Sarkisian, Catherine; Leake, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Western journal of nursing research. Volume 35:Number 9(2013)
• Page Start: 1128
• Page End: 1152
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: homeless -- frailty -- vulnerability -- health disparities; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing Research -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers; Recherche; États-Unis (Ouest); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 610.730702
• DOI: 10.1177/0193945913487608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-9459

Abstract

Frailty, a relatively unexplored concept among vulnerable populations, may be a significant issue for homeless adults. This cross-sectional study assessed correlates of frailty among middle age and older homeless adults ( N = 150, 40-73). A Pearson ( r ) bivariate correlation revealed a weak relationship between frailty and being female ( r = .230, p < .01). Significant moderate negative correlations were found between frailty and resilience ( r = −.395, p < .01), social support ( r = −.377, p < .01), and nutrition ( r = −.652, p < .01). Furthermore, Spearman's rho ( r s ) bivariate correlations revealed a moderate positive relationship between frailty and health care utilization ( r s = .444, p < .01). A stepwise backward linear regression analysis was conducted and in the final model, age, gender, health care utilization, nutrition, and resilience were significantly related to frailty. Over the next two decades, there is an anticipated increase in the number of homeless adults which will necessitate a greater understanding of the needs of this hard-to-reach population.