Childhood Homelessness as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE): Adult Mental Health Outcomes
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Authors
Downes, Jeff
Issue Date
2024-04-25
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) , Childhood , Homelessness , Mental Health
Alternative Title
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are experiences of abuse, neglect, and other household problems occurring before age 18 and contribute to the development of both physical and mental health concerns. People experiencing homelessness report disproportionately higher rates of ACEs and negative mental health concerns; however, little research has been conducted regarding the relationship between ACEs and mental health outcomes specifically for homeless populations. A dearth of research also exists regarding how childhood experiences of homelessness interact with ACEs and mental health outcomes. The present study examined the mental health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, as well as how childhood experiences of homelessness may fit into the ACEs model using archival data. People experiencing homelessness (n = 100) completed the ACEs questionnaire, a demographics questionnaire, and a health appraisal questionnaire. Results found ACEs significantly predicted negative mental health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. Childhood experiences of homelessness were predictive of negative mental health outcomes; however, this relationship became negligible when acting as a covariate with ACEs. This result suggests perhaps the ACEs framework adequately explains the traumatic events that may occur to a child experiencing homelessness and the subsequent negative mental health outcomes.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Washburn University