Posttraumatic Growth, PTSD Symptomatology, and Substance Abuse in Homeless Women

The aims of this study were to investigate the type and extent to which women with substance abuse problems have been exposed to male violence during their lifetime, and to examine possible differences between women with a residence (WR) and homeless women (HW). The total sample included 79 women (WR, n = 35; HW, n = 44; M age = 47.8 years). Of the total sample, 72 women (91%) had experienced different kinds of male violence, 88% from former partners, and 26% from male friends or acquaintances. Of the 72 women, 71% further reported “Countless occasions of violent events,” and 36% had been forced to commit criminal acts. Abused women who had been forced to commit criminal acts were significantly more frequently found to be homeless, have reported parental alcohol and/or drug problems, have witnessed domestic violence in childhood, have been victims of sexual violence, have used illicit drugs as a dominant preparation, and have injected illicit drugs. Almost half of the abused women (46%) met criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where HW showed an almost 4-time higher risk (RR 3.78) than WR. In conclusion there is a particular vulnerability in women with substance abuse to male violence, which has an important impact on their health status. Thus, from a public health perspective, it is suggested that for those women who have experienced male violence, treatment protocols need to include both assessing and addressing the impact of such experience in relation to substance abuse as well as concomitant health concerns.

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In their own words: Trauma and substance abuse in the lives of formerly homeless women with serious mental illness.

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry ◽

10.1037/1040-3590.76.4.461 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 461-467 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Deborah K. Padgett ◽

Robert Leibson Hawkins ◽

Courtney Abrams ◽

Andrew Davis

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Serious Mental Illness ◽

Homeless Women ◽

Formerly Homeless

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Perceived Competency and Resolution of Homelessness Among Women With Substance Abuse Problems

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732311421493 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 416-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Deborah Finfgeld-Connett ◽

Tina L. Bloom ◽

E. Diane Johnson

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Interpersonal Trust ◽

Effective Means ◽

Well Being ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Homeless Women ◽

And Control ◽

Dysfunctional Relationships ◽

Careful Assessment

Using a metasynthesis approach, our aim was to articulate new insights relating to the most efficient and effective means of helping homeless women with substance abuse problems to enhance their well-being and become more stably housed. Distorted perceptions of competency, which are shaped by dysfunctional relationships and mental health problems, make it challenging for women with substance abuse problems to resolve homelessness. Women with particularly low or high levels of perceived competency tend to grapple with challenges related to structure and control, trust, and hopelessness. Therapeutic strategies for approaching these women include careful assessment, caring, personalized structure and control, development of interpersonal trust, instillation of hope, and the targeted use of psychotherapeutic agents and counseling. Framing care for homeless women within the context of perceived competency offers a new way of understanding their plight and shaping interventions to more expeditiously move them toward healthy and stable lives.

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Relative contributions of parent substance use and childhood maltreatment to chronic homelessness, depression, and substance abuse problems among homeless women: mediating roles of self-esteem and abuse in adulthood

Child Abuse & Neglect ◽

10.1016/s0145-2134(02)00382-4 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 1011-1027 ◽

Cited By ~ 147

Author(s):

Judith A Stein ◽

Michelle Burden Leslie ◽

Adeline Nyamathi

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Homeless Women ◽

Parent Substance ◽

Chronic Homelessness

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Sexual Abuse as a Precursor to Prostitution and Victimization Among Adolescent and Adult Homeless Women

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/019251391012003007 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 361-379 ◽

Cited By ~ 152

Author(s):

RONALD L. SIMONS ◽

LES B. WHITBECK

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Life Style ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Homeless Women ◽

Criminal Victimization ◽

Running Away ◽

The Impact

Previous research indicates that women who were sexually abused as children are more likely to become involved in prostitution and to experience criminal victimization. A sample of 40 adolescent runaways and a sample of 95 homeless women were studied to test direct and indirect models of the impact of early sexual abuse on prostitution and victimization. The results suggest that early sexual abuse increases the probability of involvement in prostitution irrespective of any influence exerted through factors such as running away from home, substance abuse, and other deviant activities. In contrast, the findings indicate that early sexual abuse only indirectly affects the chances of victimization by increasing the likelihood of a life-style based on participation in risky activities and events.

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