Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Conduct disorder behaviors, childhood family instability, and childhood abuse as predictors of severity of adult homelessness among American veterans.

Tsai J, Rosenheck RA. Conduct disorder behaviors, childhood family instability, and childhood abuse as predictors of severity of adult homelessness among American veterans. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 2013 Mar 1; 48(3):477-86.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



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. 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. 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. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate not only the potential impact of childhood abuse on social relationships and quality of life in adulthood, but also the resilience of homeless veterans from adverse childhoods to be successfully housed in a supported housing program.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.