Exploring women’s pathways to homelessness using the life history calendar
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20408291 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Priscilla Dass-Brailsford (0000-0002-8464-8407, Georgetown University, corresponding author), Heather Doherty (0009-0008-9343-5535, Georgetown University), Ariel Jiménez (Georgetown University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 272-281 |
| Publication date | 2025-07-03 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1053-0789 • E-ISSN: 1573-658X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10530789.2024.2379168 |
| OpenAlex | W4400851495 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 45 |
Introduction Trauma history is a major risk factor for homelessness because of debilitating mental health and trauma symptoms that reduce a survivor’s ability to maintain healthy psychological functioning.Method The objective of this study was to explore trauma exposure among a group of homeless mothers (N-30) using a novel data-gathering tool, the Life History Calendar (LHC). Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of several standardized scales and participated in a 90-minute LHC interview.Results All participants (100%) reported at least one type of trauma experience in their lifetime; the majority (76.6%) reported an unstable and chaotic home environment and bullying and teasing as significant traumatic stressors. Other reported stressors included witnessing violence, intimate partner violence, grief and loss, childhood sexual abuse, physical/emotional/verbal abuse, and sexual assault. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed psychological symptoms; 77% met the criteria for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and 42.3% endorsed severe PTSD symptoms.Conclusion This study increases our understanding of the traumatic experiences of a group of homeless mothers by identifying critical periods in their lives when their traumas occurred. Supporting at-risk groups during these periods can play a significant role in averting their trajectory toward homelessness
Sociology · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · History · Homelessness and Social Issues · Psychology · Urban, Neighborhood, and Segregation Studies
Mixed Method Data Collection Strategies
The prevalence of mental disorders among homeless people in high-income countries
All adverse childhood experiences are not equal
The global burden of mental disorders
Effects of trauma‐informed approaches in schools
The effect of multiple adverse childhood experiences on health
Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The PHQ-9
Health literacy and its association with mental and spiritual well-being among women experiencing homelessness
An exploratory study of the pathways into homelessness among of foreign-born and Canadian-born families
Women and homelessness, a complex multidimensional issue
Mental healthcare barriers and facilitators experienced by homeless women with serious mental illness
Prevalence of mental disorders among people who are homeless
Clinical Differences and Outcomes of Sexual Abuse Investigations by Gender
Recognizing and responding to women experiencing homelessness with gendered and trauma-informed care
Breast Cancer Screening Among Homeless Women of New York City Shelter-Based Clinics
Bidirectional Relations between Parenting Practices and Child Externalizing Behaviors in Formerly Homeless Families
Understanding Trauma Normativeness, Normalization, and Help Seeking in Homeless Mothers
Framing Deadly Domestic Violence
Trauma Experience Among Women Who Have Substance Use Disorders and are Homeless or Near Homeless
Research Design
Putting Homelessness in Context
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |