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Kelly AM. Incontinence and homelessness. Br J Community Nurs 2024; 29:S52-S58. [PMID: 38728160 DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2024.29.sup5.s52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The fundamental principles of why specific people become homeless, can be grounded in a simple rationale or founded within sophisticated reasoning. For instance, people who suffer from substance abuse, addiction, alcohol, gambling, have mental health concerns or financial difficulties may be susceptible to homelessness. It is also identified that persons who experienced violence in their childhood or abuse by a partner are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. Homelessness knows no ethnic, cultural, religious or gender boundaries, and can impact all individuals' health and well-being. A health problem and worldwide phenomenon that affects all cohorts of the population, including the homeless, is urinary incontinence. The aim of this article is to increase the awareness of incontinence and highlight the impact it has on the lives of people that experience homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Kelly
- Clinical Nurse Specialist-Continence, Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow CHO, Elinor Lyons Building, Meath Campus, Heytesbury Street, Dublin 8
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2
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Vázquez JJ, Lenta M, Cabrera A, Panadero S. The Role of Childhood Violence in Adult Victimization Among Women Experiencing Homelessness in Spain. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024:8862605241245381. [PMID: 38591170 DOI: 10.1177/08862605241245381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Persons experiencing homelessness represent one of the principal manifestations of the phenomenon of social exclusion, with homeless women constituting a group in a particularly vulnerable situation. The article analyzed the experience of violence in childhood and adolescence, and its implications in terms of violence experienced as an adult, in a sample of women experiencing homelessness in Madrid (Spain) (n = 138). All participants were of legal age and had spent the night before the interview in a shelter or other facility for the homeless, on the street, in public spaces or in places not suitable for sleeping. Information was gathered through a structured interview. The results show that the interviewees had experienced a high percentage of physical, psychological, and/or sexual violence, both in their childhood and adolescence and throughout their lives, with a strong correlation between the experience of violence in childhood and the experience of violence in adulthood, particularly sexual assaults, intimate partner violence, and sex work. The experience of childhood sexual abuse among women experiencing homelessness appears to have had particularly negative consequences in adulthood. Public policies, prevention programs, and care mechanisms with a gendered perspective must be implemented, aimed at reducing the number and intensity of situations of violence experienced by women and girls at risk of social exclusion or in a homeless situation.
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Cabrera A, García-Pérez C, Panadero S, Vázquez JJ. Determining factors in the overall happiness and outlook for the future of women living homeless: Evidence from Madrid, Spain. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 51:2163-2179. [PMID: 36821529 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.23018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
People living homeless are quite heterogeneous groups, including different subgroups with specific characteristics that vary substantially. Within this group, women living homeless are an understudied subgroup with specific necessities which in most cases have not been addressed in general studies related to the group. The present study examines determining factors that influence the levels of overall happiness and outlook for the future of women living homeless. To fulfill this objective, a survey was conducted on a group of women living homeless in the city of Madrid (Spain). The results of a structural equation modeling analysis found that having a larger and stable social support network, loneliness, and good health conditions without any problems associated with drug abuse are the main factors influencing their levels of overall happiness and their outlook for the future. The proposed model has also shown that stressful life events play an important role in the analysis, unlike economic aspects, which have a limited impact on their situation. This article provides new information and innovation in research about homelessness, in particular women living homeless, thus being important for extending and replicating its findings to an international context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Cabrera
- Departamento de Economía, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | | | - Sonia Panadero
- Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Juan Vázquez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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Oliveira GCMD, Martins AC, Pazini DDS, Paula EEPD, Nunes LC, Freitas EDD. [Typification and factors associated with violence among the homeless in a municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2023; 28:1607-1617. [PMID: 37255139 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023286.13582022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The scope of the study was to typify the violence suffered by the homeless population and analyze the associated factors in a medium-sized municipality in Minas Gerais. A cross-sectional study was conducted and data about sociodemographic status, health, risk behaviors and occurrence of violence among the homeless was collected. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to verify the association between exposure and outcomes. Of the 85 respondents, the majority were male (75.3%), aged between 40 and 59 years (59.5%), non-white (86.3%), smokers (69.4%), alcoholics (80.7%) and drug users (53.6%). The overall prevalence of violence was 62.3%. The types of violence most reported were verbal and physical aggression and threats. Being a woman (OR 42.1; 95%CI 27.8-638.0) and being non-white (OR 9.02; 95%CI 1.33-61.1) were associated with a higher risk of experiencing violence. Having no morbidity (OR 0.14; 95%CI 0.03-0.62) and living on the streets for up to five years (OR 0.17; 95%CI 0.04-0.71) revealed a negative association. It was observed how violence is present in the urban context associated with sex, race, self-reported morbidity and time living on the streets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gislaine Cristina Moraes de Oliveira
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares. R. São Paulo 745, Centro. 35010-180 Governador Valadares MG Brasil.
| | - Ananda Carvalho Martins
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares. R. São Paulo 745, Centro. 35010-180 Governador Valadares MG Brasil.
| | - Débora de Sousa Pazini
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares. R. São Paulo 745, Centro. 35010-180 Governador Valadares MG Brasil.
| | | | - Lélia Cápua Nunes
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares. R. São Paulo 745, Centro. 35010-180 Governador Valadares MG Brasil.
| | - Eulilian Dias de Freitas
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Campus Governador Valadares. R. São Paulo 745, Centro. 35010-180 Governador Valadares MG Brasil.
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Vázquez JJ, Berríos A, Cala-Montoya CA, Lenta M. Stressful life events among women living homeless in Nicaragua, a low-income country. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 51:1495-1503. [PMID: 36037252 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Nicaragua is one of the lowest income countries in Latin America, where there is a shortage of data on women living homeless. This paper analyses the types, timing and perceived causality of stressful life events (SLE) suffered both during childhood and adolescence and throughout life by women living homeless (n = 30). A structured interview was used to collect the data. Findings showed that women living homeless in Nicaragua suffered a very high number of SLEs, and that these were extremely severe and from very early ages. Most of the SLEs took place before the women became homeless. The SLEs suffered by the women interviewed in Nicaragua were largely similar to those seen in women living homeless in other cultural contexts with higher incomes, although it should be noted that those interviewed in Nicaragua had suffered a higher number of SLE during their childhood and adolescence. The women interviewed mainly attributed finding themselves homeless to having suffered SLEs in the family environment. The suffering of multiple and severe SLEs, largely leading to living in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations, seem to present a significant vulnerability factor both for becoming homeless and remaining homeless over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Juan Vázquez
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Universitaro de Investigación en Estudios Latinoamericanos (IELAT), Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Berríos
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN-León), León, Nicaragua
| | | | - Malena Lenta
- Department of Preventive Psychology, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lenta M, Panadero S, Cabrera A, Vázquez JJ. Health situation and perceived health status among women experiencing homelessness: A longitudinal study in Spain. Public Health Nurs 2023; 40:9-16. [PMID: 36029140 PMCID: PMC10086823 DOI: 10.1111/phn.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The paper analyses the health situation and the perceived health status of a sample of women experiencing homelessness (n = 138) in Madrid, Spain. All participants were adults, and the night before the baseline interview, they had slept on the street, at a shelter or any facility provided to care for people living homeless. The information was collected using structured interviews, repeated twice a year for a 3-year follow-up period. The findings of this study show that women experiencing homelessness presented poor health, particularly in comparison with the general Spanish population. Over half of the women questioned claimed to have a diagnosed serious or chronic illness, with a correlation between these conditions and the age, time spent homeless or high levels of drug use. There was a positive correlation found between women's perceived health status and being younger and having access to independent accommodation, while having suffered a number of stressful life events and having spent long periods of time living homeless presented a negative correlation with a good perceived health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Lenta
- Department of Preventive Psychology, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sonia Panadero
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Universidad de Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrian Cabrera
- Department of Economy, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
| | - José Juan Vázquez
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
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Lenta M, Di Iorio J, Vázquez JJ. Stressful Life Events among Women Living Homeless in Argentina. JOURNAL OF LOSS & TRAUMA 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2022.2115206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Malena Lenta
- Department of Preventive Psychology, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Di Iorio
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Juan Vázquez
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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Vázquez JJ, Cala-Montoya CA, Berríos A. The vulnerability of women living homeless in Nicaragua: A comparison between homeless women and men in a low-income country. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 50:2314-2325. [PMID: 34913172 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This article takes a gender perspective approach to a series of issues that may affect the vulnerability of people in a homeless situation in Nicaragua, focusing particularly on women. The study was completed using data obtained from two similarly-sized samples, one of homeless men (n = 32) and the other of homeless women (n = 30). The information was gathered using a structured interview. Results show that there are key similarities in the situation and characteristics of both men and women living homeless in Nicaragua. Results also support the thought that women living homeless - some with dependent children to care for - are in a situation of particular vulnerability, suffering violence, a greater need to find safe places to stay, greater "revolving door to homelessness," more barriers to finding work and more sex work. The analysis of the issues differentiating men from women may be of use in driving forward public policies and social care resources adapted to the specific characteristics and needs of these women and their children. As can be taken from this paper, people living homeless in low-income and high-income countries share a number of similar circumstances, which in turn could facilitate a global approach to the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- José J Vázquez
- Department of Social Psychology, Instituto Universitaro de Investigación en Estudios Latinoamericanos (IELAT), Alcalá de Henares, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alberto Berríos
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN-León), León, Nicaragua
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Alexander AC, Waring JJ, Olurotimi O, Kurien J, Noble B, Businelle MS, Ra CK, Ehlke SJ, Boozary LK, Cohn AM, Kendzor DE. The relations between discrimination, stressful life events, and substance use among adults experiencing homelessness. Stress Health 2022; 38:79-89. [PMID: 34137166 PMCID: PMC9629914 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The current study investigated whether stressful life events and everyday discrimination experiences were associated with using one or more substances in the past 30-days and substance use disorder (SUD) among adults experiencing homelessness. We obtained survey data from adults (N = 501) seeking services at a day shelter. Participants self-reported whether they used cigarettes, other tobacco products, cannabis, alcohol, opioids, amphetamine, and cocaine/crack in the past 30-days, and the total number of substances used were also calculated. We measured stressful life events and everyday discrimination using validated scales. We used multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression analyses to evaluate hypothesised associations. Results indicated that reporting a higher number of stressful life events was associated with past 30-days cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use, screening positive for a SUD, and using a greater number of substances in the past 30 days. After accounting for stressful life events, everyday discrimination was associated with only past 30-days cannabis use. Overall, we found that reporting stressful life events was related to current substance use and screening positive for a SUD. Findings suggest that life stressors, and discrimination to a lesser extent, were associated with substance use and SUD among adults experiencing homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Alexander
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.,Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Joseph J.C. Waring
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Oluwakemi Olurotimi
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Jasmin Kurien
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Bishop Noble
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Michael S. Businelle
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.,Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Chaelin K. Ra
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Sarah J. Ehlke
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Laili K. Boozary
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.,Department of Psychology, Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
| | - Amy M. Cohn
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Darla E. Kendzor
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.,Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Vázquez JJ, Cabrera A, Panadero S. Access to employment and the labor market among women living homeless in Madrid, Spain. Work 2022; 71:941-949. [PMID: 35253661 DOI: 10.3233/wor-205002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living homeless represent one of the most extreme embodiments of the phenomena of poverty and social exclusion, and women are a particularly vulnerable group among people living homeless. METHODS Various factors in a sample of women living homeless in Madrid, Spain (n = 136) have been analyzed for relationships to connections to the employment and labor market. Information was collected using a structured interview. RESULTS Results show the considerable difficulties women living homeless have in accessing the employment and labor market, despite largely having worked throughout their lives, mainly in unstable jobs, in the informal sector or in related marginal activities. In general, women living homeless tended to attribute their difficulties in accessing the labor market to personal characteristics, dispositional factors, or situational factors beyond their control. A large number of interviewees wanted to work, although few of them did so. Interviewees who reported that they were seeking employment were primarily younger women, in better health, who had been unemployed for a short time, had spent less time homeless, and were of foreign origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Juan Vázquez
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Alcalá Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
| | - Adrian Cabrera
- Department of Economy, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Panadero
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Universidad de Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Vázquez JJ, Berríos A. Unhappiness and casual attributions of homelessness among people living homeless in León (Nicaragua). JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 50:592-600. [PMID: 34115396 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nicaragua is one of the countries with the lowest levels of development in Latin America, with a collectivist culture, where information on people in a homeless situation is very limited. The study examines a sample of people living homeless in the city of León (Nicaragua), their level of overall happiness, their future expectations, their perception of the evolution of their situation, their causal attributions of homelessness, and the aspects they believe are most important for overcoming their situation. Forty-one of the 68 homeless people contacted in León (Nicaragua) responded to a structured interview. The results show that the interviewees reported very low levels of overall happiness, although their future expectations were positive. The interviewees attributed homelessness situation (their own and other people's) primarily to individualistic causes and problems in family relationships, and they had a tendency to consider both themselves and other people living homeless responsible for their homelessness. The results are compared to the data obtained using similar methodologies and instruments for people living homeless in Madrid (Spain) and trash pickers in León (Nicaragua)-two groups in situations of extreme poverty and social exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Juan Vázquez
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Universitaro de Investigación en Estudios Latinoamericanos (IELAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Berríos
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN-León), León, Nicaragua
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Rivas-Rivero E, Panadero S, Vázquez JJ. Intimate partner sexual violence and violent victimisation among women living homeless in Madrid (Spain). JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 49:2493-2505. [PMID: 34060103 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discover the extent to which women living homeless in Madrid (Spain) have been victims of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV), analysing the connection between stressful life events (SLE) relating to violent victimisation and having suffered sexual assault by a partner. This study took place using a sample of women living homeless in Madrid (n = 136). The results obtained show that a high percentage of the women living homeless who were questioned had been victims of IPSV. The women interviewed, who had been victims of IPSV, had suffered, to a greater extent, SLEs relating to situations of violent victimisation, both during childhood and adolescence as well as in adulthood. The episodes of violent victimisation that seem to be the most common forerunners to IPSV are incidents of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Rivas-Rivero
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación, Área de Psicología Evolutiva, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Sonia Panadero
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
| | - José Juan Vázquez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación, Área de Psicología Social, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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Rodriguez-Moreno S, Panadero S, Vázquez JJ. The Role of Stressful Life Events among Women Experiencing Homelessness: An Intragroup Analysis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 67:380-391. [PMID: 33242362 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine stressful life events (SLEs) among homeless women and how SLEs were related to patterns and trajectories of homelessness. Specifically, the study aimed to replicate and build upon by Muñoz et al. (2005) by using cluster and discriminant analysis in a sample of 116 homeless women. The sample was classified based on SLEs, and the relationship between the resulting subgroups and sociodemographic characteristics, homeless trajectories, physical and mental health, and social support was examined. The results suggest that the three-cluster solution was theoretically and structurally meaningful: (a) the "Shorter homelessness trajectories and best health and mental health" subgroup was characterized by low levels of SLEs, a shorter homeless trajectory, lower prevalence of physical and mental health problems, and lower rates of alcohol and substances consumption; (b) the "Early onset of homelessness and poorer health and poorer mental health" subgroup was characterized by a higher prevalence of childhood and adolescence SLEs, an early onset of homelessness and greater chronification, mental health problems, and alcohol consumption; and (c) the "Chronic homelessness and poorest health and mental health" subgroup was mainly characterized by a higher prevalence of typically adulthood SLEs, as well as some SLEs that may be unique to women, a greater number of periods of homelessness, physical health problems, disabilities, and substance misuse. Increased knowledge about the different subgroups and trajectories of homeless women, as well as their specific characteristics and needs, will help us design social services and policies sensitive to all these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rodriguez-Moreno
- Clinical Psychology Department, School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Panadero
- Clinical Psychology Department, School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Rodriguez-Moreno S, Vázquez JJ, Roca P, Panadero S. Differences in stressful life events between men and women experiencing homelessness. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 49:375-389. [PMID: 33131105 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to experiencing stressful life events (SLEs) at some point in their lives; these SLEs are crucial for understanding the etiology and maintenance of homelessness. This study analyses the differences between men and women experiencing homelessness in the suffering of SLEs throughout their lives (childhood, adolescence, and adulthood). The sample consisted of a group of 293 people experiencing homelessness in Madrid (Spain): 156 men and 137 women. The results suggest that the number and type of SLEs experienced by men and women are different. In general, women experiencing homelessness suffer more SLEs than men in all periods of their lives. The differences in the level of sexual violence in childhood, sexual abuse in adulthood, and abuse by a spouse or partner are particularly striking. However, men experiencing homelessness score significantly higher than women for alcohol abuse, police complaints, arrest, and imprisonment throughout their lives. These findings have significant implications for the design of interventions and social policies that should be tailored to the specific needs of men and women who are homeless.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rodriguez-Moreno
- Clinical Psychology Department, School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José J Vázquez
- Social Psychology Department, Alcala University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Roca
- Clinical Psychology Department, School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Panadero
- Clinical Psychology Department, School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Vázquez JJ, Panadero S. Meta-stereotypes among women living homeless: Content, uniformity, and differences based on gender in Madrid, Spain. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:1316-1326. [PMID: 32048314 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines the content and degree of uniformity of meta-stereotypes among women living homeless in Madrid, Spain, and the differences with their male counterparts. The study was conducted utilizing a structured interview with a representative sample of men living homeless (n = 158) and a convenience sample of a similar size (n = 138) of women living homeless. The results show that the meta-stereotypes of women living homeless in Madrid are characterized by mainly negative (e.g., consumers of alcohol, drug users, lazy, criminals) or indulgent (e.g., physically and psychologically worn out, rejected by society, sick) contents, with very limited positive (e.g., courteous, respectful, polite) contents, and a high degree of uniformity. There are no major differences in the content of meta-stereotypes of the female interviewees in terms of their age, academic background, motherhood, or nationality. Compared to men in the same situation, a larger percentage of women living homeless agree with negative and indulgent meta-stereotypes, and a smaller percentage agree with positive meta-stereotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Juan Vázquez
- Departmento de Psicología Social, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España
| | - Sonia Panadero
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Guillén AI, Marín C, Panadero S, Vázquez JJ. Substance use, stressful life events and mental health: A longitudinal study among homeless women in Madrid (Spain). Addict Behav 2020; 103:106246. [PMID: 31838444 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess the prevalence of substance use among homeless women; (2) to examine the correlates for drug abuse; (3) to analyze paths between early stressful life events, drug abuse and mental health. The methodology was a longitudinal study of women homeless in Madrid (Spain), who were followed for a 24 months period. There were 138 participants interviewed at baseline and 73 participants interviewed at follow-up. We ran bivariate and multivariate analysis to examine the correlates for drug abuse. We also performed path analysis to test the interconnections between stressful life events, drug abuse and mental health. Results at baseline showed that 83.3% of participants had consumed at least one substance in the previous month. Tobacco was the most common substance consumed (70.1%), followed by sedatives (48.6%), alcohol (36.2%), methadone (13.7%), cocaine (7.2%), cannabis (6.5%) and heroin (5.1%). In addition, women who met criteria for drug abuse (19.6% of the sample) were more likely to be younger, have suffered adverse experiences during childhood, have engaged in prostitution, and have ever attempted suicide, in comparison with women who did not meet criteria for drug abuse. Path analysis supported that early stressful life events increased the vulnerability for subsequent negative outcomes among homeless women. These findings have significant implications for understanding how to implement programs for homeless women in Spain.
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Jaschek G, Carter-Pokras OD, He X, Lee S, Canino G. Association of Types of Life Events with Depressive Symptoms among Puerto Rican Youth. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164852. [PMID: 27788173 PMCID: PMC5082880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to examine the association between four types of adverse life events (family environment, separation, social adversity, and death) and the development of depressive symptoms among Puerto Rican youth. This was a secondary analysis using three waves (2000-2004) of interview data from the Boricua Youth Study of 10-13 year old Puerto Rican youth residing in New York and Puerto Rico with no depressive symptoms at baseline (n = 977). Depressive symptoms increased with an increase in social adversity, separation, death, and death events. Youth support from parents was a significant protective factor for all adverse events and parent coping was a protective factor in social adversity events. Relying on standard diagnostic tools is ideal to identify youth meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of depression but not useful to detect youth who present with subclinical levels of depression. Youth with sub-clinical levels of depression will not get treated and are at increased risk of developing depression later in life. Adverse life events are potentially relevant to use in conjunction with other screening tools to identify Puerto Rican youth who have subclinical depression and are at risk of developing depression in later adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graciela Jaschek
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Olivia D. Carter-Pokras
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xin He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sunmin Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Glorisa Canino
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
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Gopikumar V, Easwaran K, Ravi M, Jude N, Bunders J. Mimicking family like attributes to enable a state of personal recovery for persons with mental illness in institutional care settings. Int J Ment Health Syst 2015; 9:30. [PMID: 26284113 PMCID: PMC4538744 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-015-0022-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The convergence between mental ill health and homelessness is well documented, but critical events that precipitate the downward spiral into homelessness, and promote personal recovery remain only partially explored in India. AIMS To explore causative factors of the descent into homelessness, and gain insight into creative and innovative approaches that promote personal recovery, specifically in institutional care settings. METHODS This qualitative study used focus group discussions, detailed personal interviews and anonymised data drawn from patient files. The data were analysed using phenomenological approaches. RESULTS Findings suggest that besides poverty and deprivation, death of the primary caregiver is a critical event in precipitating distress and a breakdown in the family, leading to a loss of support systems and a sense of belongingness, and rendering persons with mental illness homeless. Social affiliations, kinship, congruence between the real and ideal self, and the drive to assume a more powerful identity and/or pursue self-actualisation emerged as key factors aiding personal recovery. In the absence of a family, mimicking its attributes appears to ground institutions and professionals in an ethos of responsiveness and user-centricity, thereby promoting personal recovery. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the critical need to further explore and understand the nature of distress and descent into homelessness, and gain insight into caregiver strain and strategies that can be developed to reduce the same. It further emphasizes the need to shed light on individual strategies that help pursue wellbeing, and delve deeper into the application of value frameworks in institutions and their role in promoting personal recovery among persons with mental health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Gopikumar
- The Banyan, 6th Main Road, Mogappair ERI Scheme, Mogappair West, Chennai, 600-037 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Kamala Easwaran
- The Banyan, 6th Main Road, Mogappair ERI Scheme, Mogappair West, Chennai, 600-037 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Mrinalini Ravi
- The Banyan, 6th Main Road, Mogappair ERI Scheme, Mogappair West, Chennai, 600-037 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Nirmal Jude
- The Banyan, 6th Main Road, Mogappair ERI Scheme, Mogappair West, Chennai, 600-037 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Joske Bunders
- Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences (FALW), Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
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Price CJ, Diana TM, Smith-Dijulio KL, Voss JG. Developing Compassionate Self-care Skills in Persons Living with HIV: a Pilot Study to Examine Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy Feasibility and Acceptability. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork 2013; 6:9-19. [PMID: 23730396 PMCID: PMC3666600 DOI: 10.3822/ijtmb.v6i2.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Self-care skills for persons living with HIV (PLWH) are needed to better cope with the common symptoms and emotional challenges of living with this chronic illness. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) for individuals receiving medical management for HIV at an outpatient program. Setting A nonprofit outpatient day program that provided medical management to low-income individuals with HIV. Research Design A one group pre–post study design, nine participants were recruited to receive eight weekly MABT sessions of 1.25 hours each. Intervention MABT is designed to facilitate emotion regulation through teaching somatically-based self-care skills to respond to daily stressors. Main Outcome Measures To assess participant characteristics and study feasibility, a battery of health questionnaires and one week of wrist actigraphy was administered pre- and postintervention. A satisfaction survey and written questionnaire was administered postintervention to assess MABT acceptability. Results The results demonstrated recruitment and retention feasibility. The sample had psychological and physical health symptoms that are characteristic of PLWH. MABT acceptability was high, and participants perceived that they learned new mind-body self-care skills that improved HIV symptoms and their ability to manage symptoms. Conclusion The positive findings support a larger future study to examine MABT efficacy to improve coping with HIV symptoms among PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia J Price
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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