Stimulus Checks Longitudinal Clinical Outcomes of US Veterans With Psychosis or Recent Homelessness

According to a study published in Psychiatric Services, veterans with psychosis or who had recently experienced homelessness demonstrated significantly improved mental health and social functioning after receiving stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, adults in the US with middle and low income received 3 rounds of stimulus checks. This study, spanning 15 months, investigated the frequency of receiving checks and expenses and their correlation to clinical outcomes in 3 veteran groups. 

There were 158 veterans total among the 3 groups investigated in the study. There were 59 veterans with psychotic disorders, 49 recently homeless veterans, and 50 veterans without a history of psychosis or homelessness for comparison. Between May 2020 and July 2021, all study participants were assessed 5 times. The relationship between received stimulus checks and planned expenses to mental health and substance use over time among the groups was measured through bivariate and multivariable analyses. 

Between 74% and 84% of veterans reported receiving more than one stimulus check. Bills, groceries, credit card debt, rent or mortgage, and general savings were all reported plans of use for stimulus funds among participants. The more stimulus checks a veteran received, the more their symptoms of depression (B=−0.48) and anxiety (B=−0.84) decreased, and their social functioning (B=0.24) increased as a result. Alcohol intoxication and drug use among veterans who had recently experienced homelessness decreased due to more stimulus checks. However, for veterans with psychosis, receiving more stimulus checks was associated with increased alcohol and drug use.

“Multiple short-term unconditional government cash transfers may improve mental and social functioning among vulnerable populations during major crises, a finding that contributes to the research literature and has policy implications for pandemic and emergency preparedness,” said researchers. 

Reference:
Tsai J, McCleery A, Wynn J K, et al. Unconditional cash transfers and association with clinical outcomes among US veterans with psychosis or recent homelessness. Psych Serv. Published online May 10, 2023. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.20230021