Childhood antecedents of homelessness in psychiatric patients

• DOI: 10.1176/ajp.148.8.1026
• Publication Date: 2014-12-17T19:40:16Z
• Authors: Ezra Susser; Lin Shang; Sarah Conover; Elmer L. Struening
• Keywords: Psychiatric hospital; History of childhood; Psychiatric history

This study examined the relationship between childhood experience and homelessness in psychiatric patients.Three large diverse samples of homeless patients (N = 512) were compared with a sample who had never been 271), respect to foster care, group home placement, running away. One drawn from admitted state mental hospital. In this hospital population, risk ratios for lifetime prevalence could be derived.In three samples, over 15% history 10% 20% These figures 2%, 1%, 5%, respectively, sample. hospital, any one these experiences was about threefold that other patients. A reported by great majority experiences.These strongly associated adult It might possible prevent some cases interventions aimed at such histories.