Abstract
Purpose
Despite US federal efforts to end and prevent homelessness among veterans, there has been limited examination of pre-military
factors like childhood problems, associated with adult homelessness. This study examined childhood problems among homeless
veterans and its relation to severity of homelessness and outcomes in supported housing.
factors like childhood problems, associated with adult homelessness. This study examined childhood problems among homeless
veterans and its relation to severity of homelessness and outcomes in supported housing.
Methods
Using data from 1,161 homeless veterans at 19 sites enrolled in the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive
Housing (HUD-VASH) program, three types of childhood problems were examined: conduct disorder behaviors, family instability,
and childhood abuse. Multiple regressions were conducted to examine the association between childhood problems and severity
of homelessness before supported housing, and childhood problems and outcomes after supported housing.
Housing (HUD-VASH) program, three types of childhood problems were examined: conduct disorder behaviors, family instability,
and childhood abuse. Multiple regressions were conducted to examine the association between childhood problems and severity
of homelessness before supported housing, and childhood problems and outcomes after supported housing.
Results
About one-third reported conduct disorder behaviors, over half reported family instability, and 40 % reported childhood abuse.
Greater childhood problems were found in this sample compared to published samples of non-homeless veterans. Conduct disorder
behaviors, family instability, and childhood abuse were each weakly associated with lifetime homeless episodes. One year after
enrollment in the HUD-VASH program, past conduct disorder behaviors and family instability were not predictive of outcomes,
except childhood abuse was related to less social support and lower quality of life.
Greater childhood problems were found in this sample compared to published samples of non-homeless veterans. Conduct disorder
behaviors, family instability, and childhood abuse were each weakly associated with lifetime homeless episodes. One year after
enrollment in the HUD-VASH program, past conduct disorder behaviors and family instability were not predictive of outcomes,
except childhood abuse was related to less social support and lower quality of life.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0551-4
- 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
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954