What is the perceived relationship between boredom and substance use among persons who are unhoused?

Cory Herzog-Fequet, Rebecca Gewurtz, Noah Hansen, Halley Read and Carrie Marshall

PLOS Mental Health, 2026, vol. 3, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: While there is much research suggesting that there is an association between the experience of boredom and the use of substances, the mechanisms which govern this relationship are largely unknown. This study was employed to generate an enhanced understanding of the relationship between boredom and substance use among persons who are unhoused living in high-income nations. A secondary analysis of 18 qualitative interviews from persons experiencing homelessness was conducted utilizing reflexive thematic analysis. Sen’s Capabilities Approach was used as a framework to guide this abductive analysis. The central essence of participant interviews was: “idle hands here are the devil’s playground”. Within this essence, two themes were generated: 1) the contextual conditions influencing substance use; and 2) substances as an escape from boredom The experience of boredom was identified by participants as a factor that increased the propensity to engage in substance use. Numerous mechanisms influencing this relationship were identified. This study illustrates the importance of providing unhoused persons with opportunities to engage in meaningful activities to alleviate the boredom that factors so heavily into their lives. The findings of this research emphasize the importance of addressing boredom among persons experiencing homelessness and may be used to better inform policy, practice, and future research endeavors.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pmen00:0000354

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000354

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