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Characteristics and Needs of Sheltered Homeless and Low- Income Housed Mothers

NCJ Number
170914
Journal
JAMA Volume: 276 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 28, 1996) Pages: 640-646
Author(s)
E L Bassuk; L F Weinreb; J C Buckner; A Browne; A Salomon; S S Bassuk
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study compared the characteristics of homeless and low- income housed mothers across economic, psychosocial, and physical health domains.
Abstract
The study participants were a cross-sectional sample of 220 sheltered homeless mothers and 216 low-income housed (never homeless) mothers who were receiving welfare. The primary measures of comparison for the two groups were income, housing, life events, social support, history of abuse and assault, and mental and physical health. Findings show that the proportion of homeless mothers with annual incomes of less than $7,000 was 46 percent compared to 17 percent for housed mothers. Homeless mothers experienced more residential instability than the housed mothers (3.8 moves compared to 1.8 moves) and had smaller support networks. More homeless mothers reported severe physical and sexual assault over their lifespan than housed mothers (91.6 percent compared to 81.1 percent). No significant differences were found between the groups in mental and physical health; however, the lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance-use disorders was overrepresented compared to the general female population. Both groups had lower physical functioning compared to the general population, and they had a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. Overall, sheltered homeless mothers had fewer economic resources and social supports and higher cumulative rates of violent abuse and assault over their lifespans than their housed counterparts; however, both groups faced extreme adversity that compromised family well-being. Practitioners and social policymakers should be aware of the multiple economic, psychosocial, and physical health needs of these mothers in providing treatment and developing program interventions. 53 references