While broad economic and social factors influence homelessness, preliminary studies indicate a number of personal factors can act as barriers to seeking health care. Therefore, the specific aims of this ongoing pilot study of a modified Social Support Intervention are to: 1) increase homeless women's health maintenance behaviors; 2) increase homeless women's general health; 3) decrease homeless women's use of emergency room visits; and 4) explore factors that influence homeless women's health-related experiences. Using a quasi-experimental design, the researcher is testing whether a modified Social Support Intervention improves health outcomes among homeless women living in a transitional shelter. The modified Social Support Intervention consists of four social support sessions for 8 weeks followed by monthly individual sessions and group sessions at 6 months and at 12 months. The health outcomes are measured by the Health Maintenance Behavior Check List, the Short Form Health Survey, SF-36, and a question about emergency room use. To obtain a profile of participants, measurement includes the Sociodemographic Scale, the Addiction Severity Index, the Symptom Check List 90-R, and the Abuse Assessment Screen. To explore factors that influence health, participants will complete the modified Prenatal Psychosocial Profile, which measures: stress, social support and self-esteem. The ethnically diverse sample of homeless women is from a transitional shelter in southern California. The long-range goal for this pilot suty is to provide a basis for an intervention program for homeless women that will improve their health outcomes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the learner will be able to: 1. Describe the development and implementation of a social support intervention designed to improve health outcomes among homeless women. 2. Identify and describe key elements of a sampling profile of homeless women residing in a transitional shelter. 3. Analyze methodological issues associated with conducting research among members of a vulnerable population
Keywords: Homeless, Women's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.