Trauma exposure and behavioral outcomes in sheltered homeless children: The moderating role of perceived social support

Abstract

This study examined the association between traumatic exposure and mental health outcomes in sheltered homeless children. Also investigated was the moderating role of perceived social support in the pathway between traumatic exposure and emotional distress. Trauma exposure was conceptualized in two ways: first through lifetime exposures to abuse, neglect, negative peers, community and interpersonal violence, and the loss of significant attachment figures, and; second through highly stressful events that occur specifically in the context of homelessness. Mental health outcomes included symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, aggression and posttraumatic stress. Perceived social support was measured through inventories of relationships with mothers, fathers, siblings and best friends. The sample consisted of 81 children between the ages of 8-16 and one of their parents. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses found that lifetime trauma exposure and homeless specific complex stress independently accounted for a significant amount of the variance in symptoms of depression, anxiety, aggression, and posttraumatic stress. Lifetime trauma alone accounted for the variance in anger and anxiety related symptomatology.Perceived social support was found to have no influence on mental health morbidity. The study consisted of a novel approach to understanding the psychological experiences of sheltered homeless children.These findings inform the design of clinical interventions for this vulnerable population of children and may have important public policy implications. INDEX WORDS:Homeless children, shelters, trauma exposure, complex stress, Perceived social support. Leon Chafee, Margie Ayati, and Kara Snead. They used their free time to work diligently and under tough conditions. I thank them all for their commitment to my work and the well-being of the children and parents interviewed. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the clinicians who made themselves available to serve as emergency consultants to high risk families: TRAUMA EXPOSURE AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES IN

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“…Once in emergency or temporary shelter, the structure of families may be impacted by shelter regulations regarding the number and gender of residents. Some shelters limit the number of children who may accompany parents, whereas others may outright bar older children and adolescents, especially boys (Cowan, 2007). These regulations may create an elevated risk of foster care placement for the children and youth who are separated from their parents.…”

Early Assessment and Intervention for Families Experiencing Homelessness: A randomized trial comparing two parenting programs

“…Homelessness is associated with a higher incidence of exposure to traumatic events (Anooshian, 2005; Cowan, 2007; Guarino & Bassuk, 2010; Hicks-Coolick et al, 2003; Perlman & Fantuzzo, 2010), complex trauma (i.e., polyvictimization or prolonged exposure to trauma), and adverse childhood experiences, including poverty, family and housing instability, separation from caregivers, community violence, and decreased access to health care and educational services (Masten et al, 1997; Panter-Brick, 2004; Shelton et al, 2015; Zlotnick, 2009).…”

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