Correlates of Homeless Episodes Among Indigenous People

Abstract

This study reports the correlates of homeless episodes among 873 Indigenous adults who are part of an ongoing longitudinal study on four reservations in the Northern Midwest and four Canadian First Nation reserves. Descriptive analyses depict differences between those who have and have not experienced an episode of homelessness in their lifetimes. Multivariate analyses assess factors associated with a history of homeless episodes at the time of their first interview. Results show that individuals with a history of homeless episodes had significantly more individual and family health, mental health, and substance abuse problems. Periods of homelessness also were associated with financial problems. Among the female caretakers who experienced episodes of homelessness over the course of the study, the majority had been homeless at least once prior to the start of the study and approximately one–fifth met criteria for lifetime alcohol dependence, drug abuse, or major depression. Family adversity during childhood was also common for women experiencing homelessness during the study.

Barriers to healthcare for American Indians experiencing homelessness

“…Many studies have looked at barriers for homeless individuals, but few of these focused on AI homeless participants (Wen, Hudak, & Hwang, 2007; Ensign & Panke, 2002). Given the disproportionate representation of AIs among the homeless (Whitbeck, 2012; US Census Bureau, 2010), it is important to extend the homeless literature to include the AI population. Themes that emerged were not sole issues, but rather each in some way overlapped with at least one other barrier creating a larger, compounded challenge.…”

“…Census Bureau, 2010). Among AIs in the northern Midwest, over one-third had experienced homelessness at some point during their lifetimes (Whitbeck, Crawford, & Sittner Hartshorn, 2012), and homelessness is a key determinant of poor health outcomes (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003). Nonetheless, research on the intersection of homelessness and race is limited.…”

Religious and Spiritual Practices Among Homeless Urban American Indians and Alaska Natives with Severe Alcohol Problems

“…(These statistics do not include those who report identifying with more than one racial category.) AI/ANs also have high rates of overcrowding and doubling up in housing, which are risk factors for homelessness (Webster, 2015; Whitbeck, Crawford, & Hartshorn, 2011). In fact, the percentage of AI/AN households with overcrowding and inadequate facilities (e.g., plumbing, kitchen amenities) increased by 10% from 1999 to 2009 (U.S.…”

“…As is the case in the general homeless population (Koegel & Burnam, 1988; Thompson, Wall, Greenstein, Grant, & Hasin, 2013), homelessness among AI/ANs is frequently associated with financial, family, physical health, mental health, and substance use problems (Whitbeck et al, 2011). In particular, studies have indicated that homeless AI/ANs have much higher rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems than the general population (Kasprow & Rosenheck, 1998; Kramer & Barker, 1996; Lobo & Vaughan, 2003).…”

“…Perhaps as a result of these factors, urban AI/ANs experience a greater prevalence of homelessness than do non-AI/ANs living in cities (Westerfelt & Yellow Bird, 1999; Whitbeck et al, 2011). Considering their population share, the prevalence of homelessness among AI/ANs in major U.S. cities is disproportionately high.…”