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Risk factors for homelessness: Evidence from a population-based study

Shelton, Katherine, Taylor, Pamela J., Bonner, Adrian B., van den Bree, Marianne B. M. (2009) Risk factors for homelessness: Evidence from a population-based study. Psychiatric Services, 60 (4). pp. 465-472. (doi:10.1176/appi.ps.60.4.465) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:24657)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.60.4.465

Abstract

Objective: This study examined factors associated with lifetime experience of homelessness among young adults.

Methods: Data were analyzed for 14,888 young adults (mean~SD age 21.97~1.77; 7,037 men and 7,851 women) who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a U.S. nationally representative, population-based sample. Data were collected from young adults through computer-assisted interviews six years after they had enrolled in the study as adolescents. Variables that have been associated with lifetime homelessness in at least one service sample were mapped to Add Health survey items. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: A total of 682 respondents (4.6%) were classified as ever being homeless. Several factors related to childhood experiences of poor family functioning, socioeconomic disadvantage, and separation from parents or caregivers were independently associated with ever being homeless. Other significant independent factors included current socioeconomic difficulty, mental health problems, and addiction problems. Indicators of involvement in crime and addiction problems with gambling and alcohol, however, were not independently associated with homelessness.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the relationship between specific indicators of adversity in childhood and risk of homelessness and point to the importance of early intervention efforts. Consistent with the extant research literature, mental health problems also appear to be associated with homelessness, highlighting the potentially complex service needs of this population.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1176/appi.ps.60.4.465
Uncontrolled keywords: risk factor, homelessness, population based study
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > HV4491 Homelessness
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Tony Rees
Date Deposited: 23 Aug 2010 15:30 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/24657 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Bonner, Adrian B..

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