Mental health problems and social supports among homeless mothers and children victims of domestic and community violence

Background: Children and mothers who have suffered domestic or neighbourhoo d violence constitute a high risk group, although it has not been clear whe ther their mental health needs are specifically related to the type of viol ence. This paper reports on the prevalence of mental health problems in hom eless parents and children who have experienced domestic and neighbourhood violence and their access to social support networks. Methods: Three groups of families who had become homeless were compared: th ose experiencing domestic violence (48 with 75 children), victims of neighb ourhood violence (14 with 29 children), and those who became homeless for o ther reasons (31 with 54 children). Mothers completed a service use semi-st ructured interview, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Gener al Health Questionnaire, the Family Support Scales, and the SF-36 Health St atus Questionnaire. Results: Levels of psychiatric morbidity were high in the group experiencin g domestic violence (35.7% in children and 21.9% in mothers) and higher sti ll in those who were victims of neighbourhood violence (52.2% in children a nd 50% in mothers). Levels of social support were found to be an important factor, particularly in relation to professional support and support from o ther family members, as they predicted both child and maternal psychopathol ogy. Conclusions: Mental health interventions for victims of domestic and neighb ourhood violence should be integrated with community programmes of social r eintegration. Mental health professionals should work in close collaboratio n with Housing Departments, Social Services, Education and the Police.