The Pathways Into Homelessness project in Toronto interviewed 300 unaccompanied adult users of homeless shelters to identify characteristics of individuals who are homeless for the first time. The sample reflected the total population of homeless shelter users in terms of age, sex, level of use, and type of shelter. Two fifths of the sample were homeless for the first time. There were more similarities than differences between those who were homeless for the first time and those who had been homeless previously. The prevalence of psychiatric and substance use disorders and the rate of previous hospitalization did not differ between first-time homeless persons and those who had been homeless before. The two groups were distinguished by some childhood experiences related to housing. Both groups had multiple indicators of serious problems, suggesting that the need for intervention is as pressing for persons who are homeless for the first time as it is for the larger population of homeless persons.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.53.11.1472DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

homeless time
20
persons homeless
12
homeless
11
population homeless
8
homeless persons
8
time
5
characteristics persons
4
time pathways
4
pathways homelessness
4
homelessness project
4

Similar Publications

The history of Italian general psychiatry and forensic psychiatry over the last 50 years has been unique in the European and Western healthcare landscape. Western politicians often visit Italy to observe the successful community-based systems that have developed in that country.This article represents a first step toward a necessary attempt, to explore how specific political decisions, such as the Italian one, have produced positive outcomes for patients with psychotic disorders, outcomes not observed in many Western countries, which are instead grappling with negative outcomes such as the complicated management of homelessness and the incarceration of people who would instead require psychiatric care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Underserved populations are often at risk of experiencing systematic healthcare disparities. Existing disparities in care access, quality of care received, and treatment outcomes among patients with rheumatic disease are not well understood.

Methods: We conducted a targeted literature review to understand disparities in health outcomes, treatment patterns, and healthcare management faced by rheumatology patients in the United States, with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize the demographic, social, economic, and clinical factors of trauma surgery patients leaving against medical advice (AMA).

Methods: Data were retroactively obtained from a level-one trauma center in a medium-sized metropolitan area from January 2017 to December 2021. The sample population consisted of patients admitted or treated by the trauma surgical service.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Applying Normalisation Process Theory to a peer-delivered complex health intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use.

Commun Med (Lond)

January 2025

Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK.

Background: The Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study involved designing and implementing a peer-delivered, harm reduction intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use. Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) provided a framework for the study.

Methods: Four Peer Navigators (individuals with personal experience of problem substance use and/or homelessness) were recruited and hosted in six third sector (not-for-profit) homelessness services in Scotland and England (United Kingdom).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Young adults experiencing homelessness are at high risk for alcohol-related consequences, but protective behavioral strategies (PBS) have not been investigated as a harm reduction approach in this population. This study examines longitudinal associations between PBS and alcohol-related consequences following a group-based alcohol intervention.

Method: Data come from AWARE, a randomized controlled trial of a group-based motivational intervention to reduce substance use and risky sex compared to usual care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!