Abstract
Homelessness among female veterans is of national concern, but there have been few studies of how they differ from male veterans
or whether they have different outcomes. This study compared 59 female and 1,181 male participants in a multi-site study of
three VA-funded transitional housing programs over a 1-year period following completion of an episode of treatment. At baseline,
female participants were younger, reported more psychiatric symptoms, had shorter histories of homelessness, were less likely
to have substance use disorders, and were less likely to be working than males. After controlling for these baseline differences,
there were no overall gender differences in outcomes measures of housing, employment, substance use, physical and mental health,
or quality of life. These results suggest homeless female veterans have different characteristics than male veterans, but
benefit equally from transitional housing.
or whether they have different outcomes. This study compared 59 female and 1,181 male participants in a multi-site study of
three VA-funded transitional housing programs over a 1-year period following completion of an episode of treatment. At baseline,
female participants were younger, reported more psychiatric symptoms, had shorter histories of homelessness, were less likely
to have substance use disorders, and were less likely to be working than males. After controlling for these baseline differences,
there were no overall gender differences in outcomes measures of housing, employment, substance use, physical and mental health,
or quality of life. These results suggest homeless female veterans have different characteristics than male veterans, but
benefit equally from transitional housing.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Brief Report
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-012-9482-5
- Authors
- Jack Tsai, VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, 950 Campbell Ave., 151D, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Robert A. Rosenheck, VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, 950 Campbell Ave., 151D, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- James F. McGuire, VA Northeast Program Evaluation Center, West Haven, CT, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853