Homeless and Housed Women: A Comparison of Social Support and Stressful Life Events

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to enhance understanding of the increasing problem of homelessness, particularly within the growing population of homeless women and children. It is estimated that approximately one in 10 poor adults and children experience homelessness every year (Burt, Aron & Lee, 2001). The number of persons experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has increased each year since 1990. Families account for 38% of the homeless and represent the fastest growing segment of the homeless population (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2008). Few studies have focused on enhancing understanding of the strengths and needs of homeless single women and women with children by comparing these women to low-income housed single women and women with children. The research presented here compares these groups of women with regard to social support networks and stressful life events.

Methods: In all, there were 106 homeless women and 126 low-income housed women who were interviewed. Six homeless shelters participated in the study along with 2 public housing authorities. Data was collected via structured interviews. A total of three surveys were administered: the (revised) Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) (Cohen & Hoberman, 1983), the (revised) List of Threatening Experiences (LTE) (Brugha & Cragg, 1990), and a demographic questionnaire designed by the researcher. The ISEL was used to measure social support and the LTE was used to measure stressful events such as death of a family member, physical or sexual abuse as a child, domestic violence, and having lived in foster care.

Results: There was a significant difference in the total number of stressful life events between the 2 groups. Homeless women reported significantly more stressful events (M=11.76) than low-income housed women (M=9.04) (F(2,230)=.195, p<.01). Overall, there were 25 stressful events measured in the study. Homeless women were significantly more likely to have experienced problems with alcohol use, drug abuse, having lived in foster care, psychiatric hospitalization, physical abuse as a child, sexual abuse as a child, having lived in a domestic violence relationship, experiencing sexual violence over the age of 18 and having experienced serious mental health problems, than low-income housed women. Homeless women reported levels of social support (measured as number of relatives one feels close to, M=3.89) that were significantly lower than the levels of social support reported from the low-income housed women (M=5.48). Both groups of women reported high rates of domestic violence. Homeless women reported 70% and low income housed women reported 46%. Seventy-four percent of homeless women experienced the death of a partner, parent or child. Both of these stressful events (loss of a loved one and domestic violence) would most certainly negatively impact the women's social support system as well as their overall well-being.

Implications: The data provide results that may improve services provided to both low income housed women and homeless women and their children. Data may also inform policy decisions and influence the allocation of scarce resources. Implications for social work practice, research and social policy will be discussed.