ORCID

0009-0003-6826-2744 (Moges), 0000-0002-1476-113X (Chakraborty)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

DOI

10.1002/puh2.70218

Publication Title

Public Health Challenges

Volume

5

Issue

2

Pages

e70218

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Behavioral and cognitive disorders can undermine housing stability, a key determinant of mental health recovery, with persistent disparities across demographic and socioeconomic groups. This study examined the associations of substance abuse problems (SAP) and serious mental illness/serious emotional distress (SMISED) with residential status at discharge from mental health facilities.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the utilized data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics, whereas univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess associations between the covariates and the residential outcome, adjusting for a variety of demographic characteristics.

RESULTS: In the adjusted multivariable model, SAP was linked to 40% increased odds of non-private discharge (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-165), and SMISED had about two-fold increased odds (aOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.44-3.05) compared to discharge in private residence. For individuals with SAP, unemployed Hispanic/Latino clients showed the highest odds of non-private discharge compared to employed clients (aOR = 3.74, 95% CI: 1.65-8.46). For individuals with SMISED, unemployed Black clients had approximately four-fold higher odds (aOR = 4.02, 95% CI: 2.00-8.37) of non-private discharge, compared with employed clients.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that housing stability after discharge reflects the combined effects of clinical severity and socioeconomic disadvantage, with higher risk associated with substance use, unemployment, and racial inequities. Integrated mental health and housing interventions, including culturally responsive policies, are needed to improve residential stability among vulnerable populations.

Rights

© 2026 The Authors.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Data Availability

Article states: "The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request."

Original Publication Citation

Moges, E., Rochez, N., Peycha, W., & Chakraborty, A. (2026). The impact of substance abuse problems and serious mental illness/serious emotional distress on post-discharge residential status among clients with behavioral and cognitive disorders: Evidence from SAMHSA MH-CLD data. Public Health Challenges, 5(2), Article e70218. https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70218

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