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Psychosocial stressors among sheltered homeless children: relationship to behavior problems and depressive symptoms

B T Zima1, R Bussing, M Bystritsky

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Education, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|February 17, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Severe psychosocial stressors impact homeless children's mental health in urban shelters. Adult family social support may mitigate these negative effects, offering potential intervention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Homeless children face significant psychosocial stressors.
  • Emergency family shelters provide temporary housing for vulnerable populations.
  • Child mental health is influenced by environmental and social factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess severe psychosocial stress exposure in homeless children.
  • To investigate the link between stress exposure and child mental health issues.
  • To examine the moderating role of adult family social support.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study design.
  • Assessment of psychosocial stressors.
  • Evaluation of child mental health outcomes.
  • Measurement of adult family social support.

Main Results:

  • High levels of severe psychosocial stressors were identified.
  • Significant association found between stress exposure and mental health problems.
  • Adult family social support showed a protective effect.

Conclusions:

  • Homeless children in urban shelters experience substantial stress.
  • Interventions should address both stress reduction and social support enhancement.
  • Findings highlight the need for targeted mental health services for this population.

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