CHILDHOOD RISK-FACTORS FOR HOMELESSNESS AMONG HOMELESS ADULTS

Objectives. This effort used data from the Course of Homelessness stud y and comparative secondary data on the general population to identify negative childhood and family background experiences that may increas e risk for adult homelessness. Methods. Frequencies of negative childh ood experiences were examined among a probability sample of 1563 homel ess adults. Differences in risk for such experiences were calculated b y sex, age cohort and racial/ethnicity status. Where possible, rates o f negative childhood experiences among the homeless were compared with the general population. Results. Substantial numbers of this sample e xperienced multiple problems as children across several domains: pover ty, residential instability, and family problems. Women and Whites dis proportionately reported experiences suggestive of personal or family problems non-Whites disproportionately reported experiences suggestive of poverty. Homeless adults were at increased risk of childhood out-o f-home placement tenure in public housing and homelessness, but not at greater risk for physical abuse. Women appeared to be at greater risk for sexual abuse. Conclusions. The problems that homeless individuals experience as adults have very clear analogs in their childhoods. Vul nerability to homelessness stems from factors unevenly distributed acr oss age, sex, and race/ethnicity groups.