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. 2020 Oct 6:41:22.
doi: 10.1186/s40985-020-00138-1. eCollection 2020.

The effects of cohousing model on people's health and wellbeing: a scoping review

Juli Carrere  1   2   3 , Alexia Reyes  1   3 , Laura Oliveras  1   2   3 , Anna Fernández  1   4 , Andrés Peralta  1 , Ana M Novoa  1 , Katherine Pérez  1   2   4 , Carme Borrell  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

The effects of cohousing model on people's health and wellbeing: a scoping review

Juli Carrere et al. Public Health Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Housing is a social determinant of health. Extensive research has highlighted its adverse effects on health. However, less is known about the effects of cohousing typology on health, which has the potential to create lively social networks and healthy communities and environments. We report the findings of a scoping study designed to gather and synthesise all known evidence on the relationship between cohousing and wellbeing and health.

Method: Using the scoping review method, we conducted a literature review in PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and JSTOR in May 2019 and selected articles published from 1960 onwards, with no geographical limit and no design restrictions. Retrieved articles underwent three sequential screening phases. The results were described through a narrative synthesis of the evidence.

Results: Of the 2560 articles identified, we selected 25 full-text articles analysing 77 experiences. All of them were conducted in high-income countries. Ten studies analysed the impact of cohousing on physical and mental health or quality of life and wellbeing. Eight of the 10 studies found a positive association. In addition, 22 studies analysed one or more psychosocial determinants of health (such as social support, sense of community and physical, emotional and economic security) and most found a positive association. Through these determinants, quality of life, wellbeing and health could be improved. However, the quality of the evidence was low.

Discussion: The cohousing model could enhance health and wellbeing mediated by psychosocial determinants of health. However, extreme caution should be exercised in drawing any conclusions due to the dearth of data identified and the designs used in the included studies, with most being cross-sectional or qualitative studies, which precluded causal-based interpretations. Because housing is a major social determinant of health, more evidence is needed on the impact of this model on health through both psychosocial and material pathways.

Keywords: Cohousing; Health; Psychosocial determinants of health; Quality of life; Scoping review; Wellbeing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of the search and selection procedure of documents
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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