Exploring the Experiences of Violence Among Individuals Who Are Homeless Using a Consumer-Led Approach

Meinbresse, Molly; Brinkley‐Rubinstein, Lauren; Grassette, Amy; Benson, Joseph; Hall, Carol; Hamilton, Reginald F.; Malott, Marianne; Jenkins, Darlene

doi:10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00069

Cited by 58 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Vulnerable groups such as the elderly [2], people with disabilities [7, 8] and the homeless [9] have a higher risk of becoming a victim of abuse. The last decades, numerous studies in different countries showed that violent victimization is also more prevalent in patients with severe mental illness [10, 11] and patients with substance use disorders [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in characteristics of physical and sexual victimization in patients with dual diagnosis: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2017

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BackgroundPatients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders are vulnerable to violent victimization. However, no evidence-based interventions are available to reduce patients’ vulnerability. An exploration of the characteristics of physical and sexual violence can provide valuable information to support the development of interventions for these patients. This study aimed to examine gender differences in characteristics of violent victimization in patients with dual diagnosis.MethodsIn this cross-sectional survey study recent incidents of physical and sexual assault were examined with the Safety Monitor in 243 patients with dual diagnosis. Chi-square tests were used to examine gender differences in the prevalence of physical and sexual victimization. Fisher’s exact tests and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact tests were used to determine whether there were significant differences between victimized men and women with regard to perpetrators, locations, reporting to the police and speaking about the assault with others.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the prevalence of physical violence in men (35%) and women (47%) with dual diagnosis. There was a significant association between gender of the victim and type of perpetrator (P < .001). Men were most often physically abused by a stranger or an acquaintance, whereas women were most frequently abused by an (ex)partner. Sexual violence was more prevalent in women (29%) compared to men (4%) (P < .001). Patients with dual diagnosis were unlikely to report incidents of physical abuse and sexual assault to the police and to speak about it with caregivers.ConclusionsCharacteristics of physical violence are different for men and women with dual diagnosis. Women with dual diagnosis are more often victims of sexual violence compared to men. Interventions aimed at reducing patients’ vulnerability for victimization should take gender differences into account.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in characteristics of physical and sexual victimization in patients with dual diagnosis: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2017

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Traumatic life experiences 7,8 and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [9][10][11][12][13] are common among homeless people, but no studies have examined the role of PTSD in sustaining smoking behavior in this population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Their Association With Smoking Outcome Expectancies Among Homeless Smokers in Boston

Baggett

Campbell

Chang

et al. 2015

NICTOB

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Introduction: Cigarette smoking and traumatic life experiences are each common among homeless adults, but the prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among homeless smokers are not known. We assessed symptoms of PTSD and their association with smoking outcome expectancies in a sample of homeless smokers in Boston. Methods: We used time-location sampling to conduct an in-person survey of homeless adult smokers using Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program clinical services. We assessed symptoms of PTSD with the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version and considered scores at least 14 as positive. We used the Smoking Effects Questionnaire to assess positive and negative smoking outcome expectancies. We modeled the associations between PTSD screening status and smoking expectancies using design-adjusted linear regression. Results: Eighty-six percent of eligible individuals participated (N = 306). Sixty-eight percent of participants screened positive for PTSD. Screen-positive respondents were younger (P = .001), more likely to report fair/poor health (P = .01), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = .02), and past-month hallucinations (P = .004), and had greater drug (P < .001) and alcohol (P < .001) use severity and cigarette dependence (P = .002). In analyses controlling for these confounders, PTSD screen-positive participants more strongly endorsed smoking to reduce negative affect (P = .01), smoking for social benefits (P = .002), and smoking for weight control (P = .03). Exploratory analyses suggested that these associations were driven by avoidance/numbing and re-experiencing symptoms. Conclusions: Symptoms of posttraumatic stress are common among homeless smokers and strongly associated with positive smoking outcome expectancies. Tobacco cessation programs for this population should consider screening for PTSD and fostering a trauma-sensitive treatment environment. Implications: In this study of homeless cigarette smokers in Boston, over two-thirds of participants screened positive for PTSD. PTSD screen-positive respondents more strongly endorsed multiple positive smoking outcome expectancies than screen-negative individuals. These findings suggest

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“…It is a mammoth disgrace that affluent nations induce disenfranchised citizens to such an abhorrent predicament. Grievously, research often indicates that homelessness is a daunting precursor for stigmatization (Belcher & DeForge, 2012), a disturbed self-identity (Williams & Stickley, 2011), depression (Nyamathi, Marfisee, Slagle, Greengold, Liu, & Leake, 2012), and suicide (Arnautovska, Sveticic, & De Leo, 2014) and may also predict violence victimization especially for older homeless people and women (Meinbresse et al, 2014). Public opinion even though still expansively victim blaming seems to capture a less stereotypical view of the homeless in recent years (Tompsett, Toro, Guzicki, Manrique, & Zatakia, 2006), although Americans attest less compassion toward the homeless compared to their European counterparts (Toro et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dire Straits of Homelessness: Dramatic Echoes and Creative Propositions From the Field

Georgiades

2015

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment

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This ethnographic study draws on the realities, survival strategies, and needs of a group of homeless people living in South Florida. Fifty-six individuals (mean age = 51 years; age range = 21-76 years) of various racial backgrounds responded to a semistructured narrative interview. Two thirds of respondents encountered substance abuse challenges and experienced chronic homelessness, one third worked, and three fifths were arrested at least once. Thematic narrative analyses revealed that substance abuse, unemployment, a low-paying job, and a relationship breakup were the most prevalent causes of homelessness. The greatest difficulties reported concerned sleeping patterns, police harassment and brutality, dehumanization, and hunger. Survival strategies incorporated hiding from police, attending local food drives, soliciting food from local fast food places, and begging. Support came predominantly from the church, family members, and friends. Relief desired embodied broader employment opportunities, closeby food drives and shelters, a designated area to sleep precluding police harassment, better wages, and less discrimination by society. Implications of the findings and future research needs are inspected.

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Exploring the Experiences of Violence Among Individuals Who Are Homeless Using a Consumer-Led Approach

Cited by 58 publications

References 31 publications

Gender differences in characteristics of physical and sexual victimization in patients with dual diagnosis: a cross-sectional study

Gender differences in characteristics of physical and sexual victimization in patients with dual diagnosis: a cross-sectional study

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Their Association With Smoking Outcome Expectancies Among Homeless Smokers in Boston

The Dire Straits of Homelessness: Dramatic Echoes and Creative Propositions From the Field

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