Homelessness and drug use: evidence from a community sample. Am J Prev Med 2007 Jun;32(6 Suppl):S211-8
Date
08/19/2007Pubmed ID
17543713DOI
10.1016/j.amepre.2007.02.015Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34249284148 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 33 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Questions regarding the nature of the association between drug use and risk of homelessness remain unresolved and have important policy implications.
METHODS: To address this issue, data are presented from a 2001 community survey in Chicago, Illinois that collected information regarding histories of drug use behaviors and homeless experiences from 627 adults aged 18 to 40. Using covariance structure analyses, two alternative models of the association between drug use and homelessness were evaluated: social selection versus social adaptation processes.
RESULTS: These findings provide evidence consistent with the social adaptation perspective, as early homeless experiences were predictive of subsequent drug use behavior in this community sample. Social selection processes were observed in bivariate, but not in multivariate, analyses.
CONCLUSIONS: The role of homelessness as a risk factor for drug use initiation should be further explored. Efforts to prevent homelessness may also contribute to the prevention of drug abuse.
Author List
Johnson TP, Fendrich MAuthor
Michael Fendrich PhD Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Chicago
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Models, Statistical
Risk Factors
Social Adjustment
Social Environment
Substance-Related Disorders
