Exposure to Childhood Trauma and Abuse: Prevalence, Correlates and Treatment Implications for Homeless Mothers

JoAnn Y. Sacks, PhD and Homeless Families Trauma Working Group. Center for the Integration of Research & Practice, National Development & Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, (212) 845-4648, jysacks@mac.com

The links between substance abuse, co-occurring psychiatric disorders and homelessness has become an increasing focus of recent research on the treatment of women. Current literature indicates that women who experience exposure to childhood physical and sexual abuse suffer many psychosocial effects, including: depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and revictimization in adult relationships. This presentation reports on information regarding exposure to childhood trauma and abuse in a population of homeless mothers from eight national sites participating in the SAMHSA (CMHS and CSAT)-funded Homeless Families Initiative. The eight sites are geographically diverse; all serve women who are head of household, homeless, and who have problems with substance use and/or mental illness. Several sites offer trauma-specific treatment services. The presentation will report on data from all eight sites regarding the prevalence of childhood abuse among the study participants. In addition, the impact of childhood abuse on preliminary outcome data regarding treatment efficacy will be explored. This information will be related to gender-specific models of treatment for mothers in the Homeless Families Initiative. The presentation expands upon our knowledge regarding the treatment needs of homeless mothers with substance use and/or mental disorders and advances our understanding of the relationship between childhood abuse and adult psychological and social functioning among these women. Implications regarding the need for gender-sensitive and gender-specific programming for this population of homeless mothers will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

1. Describe the prevalence and correlates of exposure to childhood physical and sexual abuse experienced among homeless mothers with substance use and/or mental disorders.
2. Understand the differences in populations served at the eight sites and the related prevalence of exposure to trauma and abuse within each site.
3. Recognize the array of service needs presented by this population.
4. Describe the problems facing the treatment field in helping clients who have mental and substance use disorders.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Consumers' Perspectives on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Trauma, and Residential Stability: Findings from the CMHS/CSAT Homeless Families Initiative

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA