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Baiden P, LaBrenz CA, Broni MN, Baiden JF, Adepoju OE. Prevalence of youth experiencing homelessness and its association with suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Findings from a population-based study. Psychiatry Res 2024; 334:115823. [PMID: 38430817 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Although various studies have examined factors associated with suicidal behaviors among youth, few studies have investigated the association between youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) using a large nationally representative sample. The objectives of this study were to investigate prevalence of YEH and its association with STBs. Data for this study came from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 17,033 youth aged 14-18 (51.7 % male) was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Of the 17,033 youth examined, 3 % experienced homelessness during the past 30 days, 21.3 % experienced suicidal ideation, 17.3 % made a suicide plan, and 10.9 % attempted suicide during the past 12 months. Controlling for demographic characteristics and feeling sad or hopeless, YEH was associated with 2.48 times higher odds of experiencing suicidal ideation (AOR=2.48, p<.001), 2.46 times higher odds of making a suicide plan (AOR=2.46, p<.001), and 4.38 times higher odds of making a suicide attempt (AOR=4.38, p<.001). The findings of this study highlight the importance of identifying youth who are at risk of experiencing homelessness to ensure early interventions are put in place to prevent suicidal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Baiden
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell St., Box 19129, Arlington, TX 76019, United States.
| | - Catherine A LaBrenz
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell St., Box 19129, Arlington, TX 76019, United States
| | - Marisa N Broni
- University of Ghana, School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - John F Baiden
- East Airport International School, P. O. Box KAPM 57, KIA, Accra, Ghana
| | - Omolola E Adepoju
- University of Houston, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, 5055 Medical Circle, Houston, TX 77204, United States
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2
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Maye JE, Van Patten R, Lykins HC, Vella L, Mahmood Z, Clark JMR, Twamley EW. Memory, fluid reasoning, and functional capacity in adults experiencing homelessness. Clin Neuropsychol 2023; 37:1441-1454. [PMID: 36154911 PMCID: PMC10039959 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2125906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE In individuals experiencing homelessness, determinants of functional capacity (i.e. the ability to perform activities of daily living) are poorly understood. Identifying potentially modifiable correlates of functional capacity, such as cognitive abilities, may inform treatment targets to address independence and housing stability. This study aimed to identify the strongest neuropsychological predictors of variance in functional performance in 100 adults living in a homeless shelter. METHODS Participants completed a brief cognitive screening test, from which four composite scores were derived, as well as tests of processing speed, fluid reasoning, premorbid intellectual function, and performance-based functional capacity. We conducted a hierarchical linear regression to predict variance in functional capacity. RESULTS Beyond the impact of education and premorbid intellectual function, better memory and fluid reasoning predicted better functional performance. CONCLUSIONS Although our cross-sectional design does not permit causal inference, it is possible that interventions targeting memory and fluid reasoning may improve functional ability in individuals experiencing homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E. Maye
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego
| | - Ryan Van Patten
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University
- VA Providence Healthcare System
| | | | - Lea Vella
- University of California San Francisco Health, Department of Quality and Patient Safety
| | - Zanjbeel Mahmood
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System
- SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
| | - Jillian M. R. Clark
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Mental Health Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System
| | - Elizabeth W. Twamley
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego
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3
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Bounds D, Woo MA, Nyamathi A, Kehoe P, Roy B, Yadav K, Cabrera-Mino C, Kumar R. Brain Changes Linked to Cognitive Symptomatology in Homeless Youth. Clin Nurs Res 2023:10547738231168465. [PMID: 37157815 DOI: 10.1177/10547738231168465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Youth impacted by homelessness experience diminished cognition due to a variety of reasons including mental health symptoms, alcohol and substance use, and adverse childhood experiences. However, the status of specific brain regions which could impact important cognitive functions in homeless youth remains unclear. In this pilot comparative and correlational study, a series of demographic, psychological, cognitive assessments, and brain magnetic resonance imaging were performed in 10 male youth experiencing homelessness and 9 age-matched healthy male controls (age range: 18-25 years). Participants experiencing homelessness had significantly decreased regional brain gray matter tissue in comparison to the controls. Moreover, there were strong inverse correlations between the brain regions classically associated with executive decision-making (prefrontal cortices), depression (insular lobes), and conflict resolution (anterior cingulate), and the level of the symptoms detected by their questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary A Woo
- University of California Los Angeles, USA
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Fearn-Smith EM, Scanlan JN, Hancock N. Exploring and Mapping Screening Tools for Cognitive Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury in the Homelessness Context: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3440. [PMID: 36834133 PMCID: PMC9966671 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is common amongst people experiencing homelessness, yet cognitive screening and the collection of history of brain injury rarely features in homelessness service delivery practice. The purpose of this research was to scope and map strategies for screening for the potential presence of cognitive impairment or brain injury amongst people experiencing homelessness and identify instruments that could be administered by homelessness service staff to facilitate referral for formal diagnosis and appropriate support. A search was conducted across five databases, followed by a hand search from relevant systematic reviews. A total of 108 publications were included for analysis. Described in the literature were 151 instruments for measuring cognitive function and 8 instruments screening for history of brain injury. Tools that were described in more than two publications, screening for the potential presence of cognitive impairment or history of brain injury, were included for analysis. Of those regularly described, only three instruments measuring cognitive function and three measuring history of brain injury (all of which focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI)) may be administered by non-specialist assessors. The Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID) are both potentially viable tools for supporting the identification of a likely cognitive impairment or TBI history in the homelessness service context. Further population-specific research and implementation science research is required to maximise the potential for practice application success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Fearn-Smith
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
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5
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Gicas KM, Mejia-Lancheros C, Nisenbaum R, Wang R, Hwang SW, Stergiopoulos V. Cognitive determinants of community functioning and quality of life in homeless adults with mental illness: 6-year follow-up from the At Home/Chez Soi Study Toronto site. Psychol Med 2023; 53:362-370. [PMID: 33926584 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721001550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High rates of physical and mental health comorbidities are associated with functional impairment among persons who are homeless. Cognitive dysfunction is common, but how it contributes to various functional outcomes in this population has not been well investigated. This study examines how cognition covaries with community functioning and subjective quality of life over a 6-year period while accounting for the effects of risk and protective factors. METHODS Participants were 349 homeless adults (mean age = 39.8) recruited from the Toronto site of the At Home/Chez Soi study, a large Canadian randomized control trial of Housing First. Participants completed up to four clinical evaluations over 6 years. Factor scores were created to index verbal learning and memory (vLM) and processing speed-cognitive flexibility (PSCF). The primary outcomes were community functioning and subjective quality of life. Risk factors included lifetime homelessness, mental health diagnoses, medical comorbidity, and childhood adversity. Linear mixed-effects models were conducted to examine cognition-functional outcome associations over time, with resilience as a moderator. RESULTS Better vLM (b = 0.787, p = 0.010) and PSCF (b = 1.66, p < 0.001) were associated with better community functioning, but not with quality of life. Resilience conferred a protective effect on subjective quality of life (b = 1.45, p = 0.011) but did not moderate outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a need to consider the unique determinants of community functioning and quality of life among homeless adults. Cognition should be prioritized as a key intervention target within existing service delivery models to optimize long-term functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Gicas
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Mejia-Lancheros
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Nisenbaum
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Wang
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - S W Hwang
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - V Stergiopoulos
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Burke CW, Firmin ES, Wilens TE. Systematic review: Rates of psychopathology, substance misuse, and neuropsychological dysfunction among transitional age youth experiencing homelessness. Am J Addict 2022; 31:523-534. [PMID: 36036233 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Transitional age youth experiencing homelessness (TAY-EH) bear a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality related to psychopathology, substance use disorders (SUD), and neuropsychological dysfunction. Prior reviews examining these conditions are now nearly a decade old, have focused on younger adolescent populations, or have utilized nonsystematic approaches. To our knowledge, no prior reviews have reported on all three of these domains in an integrated fashion. Here, we provide a contemporary, critical synthesis of the literature on the functioning of TAY-EH in North America within these three domains. METHODS Based upon PRISMA guidelines, a search of PubMed, Medline, and PsycInfo databases was conducted, including literature published between January 2015 and June 2021. RESULTS The initial search yielded 2024 citations; 104 underwent full text review and 32 met inclusion criteria, with a final aggregate sample size of 13,516. Studies revealed elevated rates of mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and alcohol misuse. There is insufficient data to draw generalizable conclusions regarding neuropsychological functioning, other SUD, or other psychiatric diagnoses. No studies reported on co-occurrence of disorders among or between the domains of psychopathology, SUD, and neuropsychological dysfunction. Four studies used structured interviews for diagnoses, with the remainder relying upon brief screeners or self-report measures. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to provide integrated findings on psychopathology, SUD, and neuropsychological dysfunction among TAY-EH. Further research using structured, DSM-based tools is needed to characterize rates of single and co-occurring conditions to inform tailored treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin W Burke
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Firmin
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy E Wilens
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Lio G, Ghazzai M, Haesebaert F, Dubreucq J, Verdoux H, Quiles C, Jaafari N, Chéreau-Boudet I, Legros-Lafarge E, Guillard-Bouhet N, Massoubre C, Gouache B, Plasse J, Barbalat G, Franck N, Demily C. Actionable Predictive Factors of Homelessness in a Psychiatric Population: Results from the REHABase Cohort Using a Machine Learning Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12268. [PMID: 36231571 PMCID: PMC9565981 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of knowledge regarding the actionable key predictive factors of homelessness in psychiatric populations. Therefore, we used a machine learning model to explore the REHABase database (for rehabilitation database-n = 3416), which is a cohort of users referred to French psychosocial rehabilitation centers in France. METHODS First, we analyzed whether the different risk factors previously associated with homelessness in mental health were also significant risk factors in the REHABase. In the second step, we used unbiased classification and regression trees to determine the key predictors of homelessness. Post hoc analyses were performed to examine the importance of the predictors and to explore the impact of cognitive factors among the participants. RESULTS First, risk factors that were previously found to be associated with homelessness were also significant risk factors in the REHABase. Among all the variables studied with a machine learning approach, the most robust variable in terms of predictive value was the nature of the psychotropic medication (sex/sex relative mean predictor importance: 22.8, σ = 3.4). Post hoc analyses revealed that first-generation antipsychotics (15.61%; p < 0.05 FDR corrected), loxapine (16.57%; p < 0.05 FWER corrected) and hypnotics (17.56%; p < 0.05 FWER corrected) were significantly associated with homelessness. Antidepressant medication was associated with a protective effect against housing deprivation (9.21%; p < 0.05 FWER corrected). CONCLUSIONS Psychotropic medication was found to be an important predictor of homelessness in our REHABase cohort, particularly loxapine and hypnotics. On the other hand, the putative protective effect of antidepressants confirms the need for systematic screening of depression and anxiety in the homeless population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Lio
- Centre d’Excellence Autisme iMIND, pôle HU-ADIS, Hôpital le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France
- Equipe «Disorders of the Brain», Institut Marc Jeannerod, UMR 5229, CNRS & Université Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Malek Ghazzai
- Centre d’Excellence Autisme iMIND, pôle HU-ADIS, Hôpital le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France
| | | | - Julien Dubreucq
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Etienne, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Hélène Verdoux
- Hôpital Charles Perrens, Université de Bordeaux, 33405 Talence, France
| | - Clélia Quiles
- Hôpital Charles Perrens, Université de Bordeaux, 33405 Talence, France
| | - Nemat Jaafari
- CREATIV & URC Pierre Deniker, Centre Hospitalier Laborit, Université de Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France
| | - Isabelle Chéreau-Boudet
- Centre Référent Conjoint de Réhabilitation (CRCR), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Emilie Legros-Lafarge
- Centre Référent de Réhabilitation Psychosociale de Limoges (C2RL), 87000 Limoges, France
| | | | - Catherine Massoubre
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Etienne, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Saint-Etienne, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | | | - Julien Plasse
- Pôle Centre Rive Gauche, Hôpital Le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale et de Remédiation Cognitive (CRR), CH le Vinatier et Institut Marc Jeannerod, UMR 5229 & Université Lyon 1, 69100 Bron, France
| | - Guillaume Barbalat
- Pôle Centre Rive Gauche, Hôpital Le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale et de Remédiation Cognitive (CRR), CH le Vinatier et Institut Marc Jeannerod, UMR 5229 & Université Lyon 1, 69100 Bron, France
| | - Nicolas Franck
- Pôle Centre Rive Gauche, Hôpital Le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale et de Remédiation Cognitive (CRR), CH le Vinatier et Institut Marc Jeannerod, UMR 5229 & Université Lyon 1, 69100 Bron, France
| | - Caroline Demily
- Centre d’Excellence Autisme iMIND, pôle HU-ADIS, Hôpital le Vinatier, 69678 Bron, France
- Equipe «Disorders of the Brain», Institut Marc Jeannerod, UMR 5229, CNRS & Université Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
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Mondragón-Sánchez EJ, Pinheiro PNDC, Barbosa LP. Desigualdades en salud de adolescentes en situación de calle. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6250.3755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumen Objetivo: evidenciar las desigualdades en salud de adolescentes que viven en situación de calle con base en el marco conceptual de los determinantes sociales en salud. Método: investigación de métodos mixtos con enfoque convergente paralelo. La población estuvo formada por adolescentes en situación de calle, cuya muestra fue intencional con saturación de los datos. Los datos cuantitativos se obtuvieron por medio de un cuestionario; y los cualitativos, mediante entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: participaron en el estudio 19 adolescentes en situación de calle, de los cuales 13 (68,4%) con edades entre 16 y 19 años; 11 (57,9%) eran del sexo masculino, tres (15,8%) del sexo femenino y cinco (26,3%), adolescentes trans. Los participantes experimentan diferencias en la exposición y vulnerabilidad a las condiciones que comprometen la salud y que están directamente relacionadas con los determinantes intermedios de la salud. Conclusión: el estudio permitió comprender las desigualdades relativas a la salud de adolescentes en situación de calle y reunió evidencias para estrategias que promuevan la equidad y la dignidad en el cuidado a la salud.
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Mondragón-Sánchez EJ, Pinheiro PNDC, Barbosa LP. Desigualdades em saúde de adolescentes em situação de rua. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6250.3757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Objetivo: evidenciar as desigualdades em saúde de adolescentes em situação de rua com base no marco conceitual dos determinantes sociais em saúde. Método: pesquisa de métodos mistos com abordagem convergente paralela. A população foi composta por adolescentes em situação de rua, cuja amostra foi intencional com saturação dos dados. Os dados quantitativos foram obtidos por meio de questionário; e os qualitativos, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: participaram do estudo 19 adolescentes em situação de rua, sendo 13 (68,4%) com idade entre 16 e 19 anos; 11 (57,9%) do gênero masculino, três (15,8%) do gênero feminino e cinco (26,3%) adolescentes trans. Os participantes experimentam diferenças na exposição e vulnerabilidade a condições que comprometem a saúde e que estão diretamente relacionadas aos determinantes intermediários de saúde. Conclusão: o estudo permitiu compreender as desigualdades relativas à saúde de adolescentes em situação de rua e reuniu evidências para estratégias que promovam equidade e dignidade no cuidado à saúde.
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10
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Mondragón-Sánchez EJ, Pinheiro PNDC, Barbosa LP. Health inequalities among homeless adolescents. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022; 30:e3756. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6250.3756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Objective: highlight health inequalities of homeless adolescents based on the conceptual framework of social determinants of health. Method: this is a convergent parallel mixed-methods study. The population consisted of adolescents who are homeless, with purposeful sampling and data saturation. Quantitative data were obtained with a questionnaire and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews. Results: 19 homeless adolescents participated in the study, 13 (68.4%) aged 16 to 19 years; 11 (57.9%) were male, 3 (15.8%) were female, and 5 (26.3%) were transgender adolescents. Participants experienced different levels of exposure and vulnerabilities to conditions that affect health and were directly related to intermediate determinants of health. Conclusion: this study provides an understanding of the inequalities related to the health of homeless adolescents and shows evidence that supports strategies to promote equity and dignity in health care.
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Lafavor T, Gimbel B, Olsen A, Travis A, Weber R. Relationship of parent-rated and objectively evaluated executive function to symptoms of posttraumatic stress and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in homeless youth. Child Neuropsychol 2021; 28:768-790. [PMID: 34957916 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2021.2016671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Compared to their stably housed peers, homeless, and highly mobile (HHM) youth experience disproportionately greater adversity and risk leading to a wide variety of poor developmental outcomes, and targeted interventions have the potential to mitigate such outcomes. A growing literature highlights the need for accurate diagnosis in high-risk populations given the considerable overlap between posttraumatic symptomology and behaviorally based disorders such as ADHD. Objective testing inferring neurobiological and circuit-based abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ADHD may provide a useful clinical tool to aid accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations. This novel, exploratory study examined the relation between executive function (EF) as measured by objective testing and parent ratings with symptoms of posttraumatic stress and ADHD in 86 children (age 9 to 11) living in emergency homeless shelters. Parent-rated EF problems suggested broad impairment associated with ADHD symptoms but specific impairment in emotional/behavioral function associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms. While measures of inhibition and shifting EF were strongly associated with symptomology in bivariate correlations, they explained minimal variance in regression models. Internalizing behavior problems were associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms, while externalizing behavior problems were associated with ADHD symptoms. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Lafavor
- School of Graduate Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Blake Gimbel
- School of Graduate Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Aarika Olsen
- School of Graduate Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Alicia Travis
- School of Graduate Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Rachel Weber
- The Compass Clinic, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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