Assessing the Role of Chronic Stress in Aging Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Pilot Study

Background and Aims: To investigate the relationship between chronic stress and telomere shortening among individuals experiencing homelessness compared to those in stable housing. Methods: This pilot study analyzed a nested sample of 13 participants (8 males, 5 females) from a larger cohort of 90 individuals (65 unhoused, 25 housed). Standardized questionnaires assessed health status, while saliva and blood samples measured cortisol levels and telomere length. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore associations between telomere length and predictors such as chronic illnesses, housing stability, and cortisol levels. Result: Telomere length decreased with age, showing a significant negative correlation with the number of chronic illnesses (r = −0.707, p = 0.007). Obesity also correlated negatively with telomere length (r = −0.543, p = 0.055). Regression analysis revealed that chronic illnesses significantly predicted telomere length (unstandardized coefficient = −9.360, p = 0.015), explaining about 35% of the variance. No significant differences were found in anxiety or cortisol levels between unhoused and housed participants. Conclusion: Chronic illnesses significantly impact telomere shortening in individuals experiencing homelessness, indicating that chronic stress may accelerate biological aging.