Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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A theory of mental health and optimal service delivery for homeless children
- Author:
- MARCAL Katherine E.
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 34(4), 2017, pp.349-359.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Homeless children are a vulnerable group with high risk for developing mental health disorders. The environments of homeless children are uniquely chaotic, marked by frequent moves, family structure changes, household and neighbourhood disorder, parenting distress, and lack of continuous services. Despite high rates of service use, mental health outcomes remain poor. This paper reviews the literature on homeless children’s mental health, as well as prior theoretical explorations. Finally, the paper proposes a theoretical model that explains elevated rates of mental health problems among homeless children as consequences of harmful stress reactions triggered by chronic household instability along with repeated service disruptions. This model draws upon existing conceptual frameworks of child development, family poverty, health services utilisation, and the biology of stress to clarify the role of environmental chaos in the development of child emotional and behavioural problems. Potential strategies to mitigate the risk for mental health disorders among homeless children and future research directions are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
A comparison study of psychiatric and behavior disorders and cognitive ability among homeless and housed children
- Authors:
- YU Mansoo, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 44(1), February 2008, pp.1-10.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This study examined the association of homelessness and related factors with child psychiatric and behaviour disorders (diagnosed with structured diagnostic interviews) and child cognitive ability (on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test) in a randomly selected US sample of 157 homeless children and their mothers and a comparison of 61 housed children and their mothers. Homeless children had more disruptive behaviour disorders and lower cognitive scores than housed children. In multivariate analyses, maternal verbal scores and child nonverbal scores were associated with child verbal ability; maternal education, homelessness, and child nonverbal scores were related to child behaviour disorders.
The mental health of children exposed to maternal mental illness and homelessness
- Authors:
- HARPAZ-ROTEM Ilan, ROSENHECK Robert A.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 42(5), October 2006, pp.437-448.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Using a sample of 195 mothers who were veterans of the US armed forces this study assessed the association of maternal homelessness and clinical status, with measures of children’s mental health, school enrolment and attendance. Although maternal homelessness had no significant association with children’s reported emotional problems it had a profound effect on school enrolment and attendance. Mothers’ mental health status, history of incarceration and cumulative history of trauma, as well as children’s exposure to trauma and their self-esteem were the factors most strongly associated with measures of children’s emotional problems. The study suggests that preventive interventions are needed to minimize the effects of exposure to trauma, both in the community and at home, as well as family interventions to address both the mother’s and child’s emotional and physical needs.
Mental health problems of homeless children and families: longitudinal study
- Authors:
- VOSTANIS Panos, GRATTAN Eleanor, CUMELLA Stuart
- Journal article citation:
- British Medical Journal, 21.3.98, 1998, pp.899-902.
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
Presents the results of research aiming to establish the mental health needs of homeless children and families before and after rehousing. The main outcome measures used were children's mental health problems and social support one year after rehousing. Concludes that homeless families have a high level of complex needs that cannot be met by conventional health services and arrangements. Highlights an need for local strategies for rapid rehousing into permanent accommodation, effective social support and health care for parents and children, and protection from violence and intimidation to be developed and implemented.
Integrated mental health services: modern community psychiatry
- Editor:
- BREAKEY William R.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press USA
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 441p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- New York
Examines community mental health services in a United States context. Includes sections on: historical background; the foundations of community mental health services; methods of providing services (including outpatient clinics, emergency services, partial hospitalisation, inpatient services, general health care, psychiatric rehabilitation, case management, and prevention); and services for special populations (including children, older people, people with HIV/AIDS, and homeless people).
Homelessness and children's use of mental health services: a population-based study
- Authors:
- PARK Jung Min, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 34(1), January 2012, pp.261-265.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Research suggests that between 12% and 47% of children in homeless families experience mental health problems. Children in poverty, regardless of their housing status, share many of the same risk factors that contribute to their risk for mental disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate any additional risk for mental disorders that might be attributed to experiencing homelessness. Specifically, the study examined whether children who become homeless differ from other low-income children in their mental health service use before and after their first homeless episode, and to what extent homelessness is associated with an increased likelihood of mental health service use. Administrative records from a cohort of 3,011 sheltered and 162,810 housed Medicaid enrolled children in a large metropolitan area were examined over a 6 year period. Data was obtained of their Medicaid claims, shelter use, and child welfare history. Differences between children with and without new onset of sheltered homelessness in the use of mental health services emerged following homelessness and widened over time. Sheltered homelessness and foster care placement history were associated with increased odds of receiving inpatient and ambulatory mental health services. The findings underscore the need for collaborative efforts to mitigate family homelessness and collateral needs among homeless children.
Personal and political?: exploring the feminization of the American homeless population
- Authors:
- RICHARDS Tara N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Poverty, 14(1), January 2010, pp.97-115.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Women and children are said to be disproportionately affected by the root causes of homelessness. The authors examined self-reported differences between male and female homelessness from a feminist perspective. A convenience sample of homeless individuals in a mid-size southern city of the US was interviewed (n=105, 50.5% female, mean age 41.61 years). The data suggest that while some root causes of homelessness, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, cut backs in the welfare system, mental illness, drug dependency, and lack of state support, are seen throughout the homeless population, domestic violence and sexual abuse disproportionately impacts women. The interviews reveal that women may be less likely to become homeless than their men but when they do they are more likely to report family and economic-related reasons for becoming homeless. Recent national statistics indicate that, of the 3.5 million people who are homeless, 17% are women and 39% are children. In the current research 60% of the women had at east one child under 18. The authors propose that it is the dual nature of victimisation (personal and political) that has resulted in the steadily increasing female homeless population.
A systematic review of cognition in homeless children and adolescents
- Authors:
- PARKS Randolph W., STEVENS Richard J., SPENCER Sean A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 100(1), January 2007, pp.46-50.
- Publisher:
- Royal Society of Medicine
Homelessness might be hypothesised to carry many risks for the developing minds and brains of children and adolescents, and the purpose of this review was to identify whether this hypothesis has been tested. The results show that, despite the vast numbers of children and adolescents who are homeless across the world, only ten studies focusing on these populations and reporting cognitive assessments could be identified. Most of these are cross-sectional studies undertaken in the USA, and their relevance for other settings may be limited. However, they do indicate that homeless children may be more cognitively impaired than disadvantaged ones from comparable backgrounds who do have homes. The evidence on adolescents is even more limited, but also suggests a risk of cognitive impairment. The authors recommend the introduction of cognitive evaluation and brief intelligence screening for homeless children and adolescents, as well as psychiatric or psychological screening of the latter where prior physical, sexual or substance abuse is suspected.
The mental health needs of homeless young people: bright futures; working with vulnerable young people
- Author:
- STEPHENS Jo
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 71p.bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This report draws on current research into young homeless people as a specific subset of the homeless population. It examines their mental health needs and discusses approaches to meting those needs. The basic premise of the review is that insecure accommodation is injurious to mental and physical health.
Service innovations: a mental health service for homeless children and families
- Authors:
- TISCHLER Victoria, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 24(9), September 2000, pp.339-341.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Describes the development of an outreach mental health service for homeless children and families, and presents referral characteristics and management of 40 families. Results found families become homeless predominantly because of domestic and neighbourhood violence and were usually referred for assessment of parents and children, without specific mental health concerns. Discusses the mental health interventions offered.