Leveraging research to inform prevention and intervention efforts: Identifying risk and protective factors for rural and urban homeless families within transitional housing programs

The Mental Health, Substance Use, Physical Health, and Mental Health Treatment Need of Community Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in Hawai'i

Limited research has examined the mental health of individuals experiencing homelessness in Hawai'i, which bears the nation's second highest homelessness rate. Mental health, substance use, treatment need, and health data were collected from 162 unhoused individuals in Hawai'i County by visiting community locations where they congregate (e.g., beaches, vacant buildings). 77% of participants were Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NH/PI) with participants demonstrating severe rates of mental and substance use disorders including 57% experiencing major depressive disorder (MDD), 56% experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and 64%, 74%, and 12% experiencing alcohol, methamphetamine, and opioid use disorders, respectively-heightening overdose risk. Treatment need was high (62%) but health was poor (85% reporting fair/poor health), with MDD and GAD predicting reduced general health (p < 0.05). Study findings indicate Hawai'i unhoused individuals are disproportionately Indigenous NH/PI, enduring striking mental and physical health disparities that may be reduced by increasing access/utilization of community mental health programs/services.

Actionable research for understanding and addressing homelessness

Homelessness results from an interaction of structural determinants and individual vulnerabilities, creating various pathways into homelessness and having multilevel impacts. Understanding and addressing homelessness requires research that not only takes an ecological perspective but also can be translated into action. Despite research demonstrating differing needs and experience among various subpopulations, particularly marginalized groups, homeless service systems often take a one-size-fits-all approach. Additionally, homeless service systems' prioritization of the most vulnerable and chronically homeless for permanent housing programs results in a service system that operates in a state of triage, with minimal attention to prevention efforts. This special issue highlights actionable research focused on preventing homelessness and addressing disparities among marginalized groups. Included articles target homelessness at multiple levels using a combination of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Embedded in community psychology values, this study focuses on prevention, leverages participatory methods, relies on diverse lived experiences, and explores community-based solutions.