Harpaz-Rotem Ilan, Rosenheck Robert A, Desai Rani
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, VA Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave., NEPEC/182 Bldg 8, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
Community Ment Health J. 2006 Oct;42(5):437-48. doi: 10.1007/s10597-005-9013-8.
In recent years a number of reports have documented an increase in the number of homeless families in the US. Using a sample of 195 mothers who were veterans of the US armed forces we assessed the association of maternal homelessness and clinical status, with measures of children's mental health, school enrollment and attendance. Although maternal homelessness had no significant association with children's reported emotional problems it had a profound effect on school enrollment and attendance. Mothers' mental health status, history of incarceration and cumulative history of trauma, as well as children's exposure to trauma and their self-esteem were the factors most strongly associated with measures of children's emotional problems. The study suggests that preventive interventions are needed to minimize the effects of exposure to trauma, both in the community and at home, as well as family interventions to address both the mother's and child's emotional and physical needs. A longitudinal study is needed to understand better the association between residential instability and children's mental health.
近年来，一些报告记录了美国无家可归家庭数量的增加。我们以195名曾在美国武装部队服役的母亲为样本，评估了母亲无家可归状况与临床状况之间的关联，以及儿童心理健康、入学率和出勤率等指标。尽管母亲无家可归与儿童报告的情绪问题没有显著关联，但对入学率和出勤率有深远影响。母亲的心理健康状况、监禁史和累积创伤史，以及儿童接触创伤的经历和自尊心，是与儿童情绪问题指标关联最密切的因素。该研究表明，需要采取预防干预措施，以尽量减少社区和家庭中接触创伤的影响，同时需要进行家庭干预，以满足母亲和儿童的情感和身体需求。需要进行纵向研究，以更好地了解居住不稳定与儿童心理健康之间的关联。
