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Profiles and Predictors of Neurodevelopmental Functioning among Young Children Experiencing Family Homelessness

Janette E Herbers1, Carmela J DeCandia2, Katherine T Volk3

  • 1Villanova University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Villanova, PA, USA.

Early Childhood Research Quarterly
|August 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Half of homeless children show resilient neurodevelopmental functioning. Parental mental health and overreactive parenting predict poorer outcomes for at-risk children experiencing homelessness.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Neurodevelopment

Background:

  • Children experiencing family homelessness face housing instability and poverty-related stressors.
  • Variability in children's experiences necessitates person-centered approaches to understand risk and resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify distinct profiles of neurodevelopmental functioning in young children experiencing homelessness.
  • To examine demographic and ecological predictors of these neurodevelopmental profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Latent profile analysis was used with a sample of 231 children (ages 3-5) in homeless shelters.
  • Parent-reported data across ten neurodevelopmental domains informed the profiles.
  • Predictors included child's age, ethnicity, adverse childhood experiences, parent mental health, and parenting style.

Main Results:

  • Five distinct neurodevelopmental profiles were identified, with half the children showing resilience.
  • Maladaptive profiles varied in specific strengths and challenges; a small group showed pervasive difficulties.
  • Higher parental mental health issues and overreactive parenting predicted poorer neurodevelopmental profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Person-centered approaches reveal diverse neurodevelopmental trajectories in children experiencing homelessness.
  • Parental factors significantly influence children's neurodevelopmental outcomes in this vulnerable population.
  • Findings support targeted interventions and policies to bolster resilience and mitigate risks for homeless children.

Keywords:
adversityhomelessnessneurodevelopmentperson-centered methodsresilience

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