Risk factors for homelessness: a study of families of origin.

OBJECTIVE

This study's objective was to test the hypothesis that there are health issues and other factors in families of origin that have an association with, and may be risk factors for, homelessness.

METHODS

This case control study identified risk factors in a group of homeless patients at a health clinic for the homeless. Two comparison groups from an academic family practice center were included. One comparison group was county indigent patients, and the other was patients who had health insurance.

RESULTS

Significant differences in families of origin among these three groups were identified. On univariate analysis, homeless persons were found to have an increased prevalence of alcoholism in the family of origin, earlier departure from the home, minority status, a self-described negative childhood, experiences of abuse as a child, high birth order in large families, less parental education, less-skilled parental occupations, less feeling of love in the childhood family, less likelihood of the father being in the home, more risk of the father having been in jail, and less identification with a religious group. Multivariate analysis revealed that compared to the study groups, the following family of origin factors were associated with homelessness: ethnic group, alcoholism, feeling loved as a child, and having one's father in jail.

CONCLUSIONS

Homelessness is a multifactorial issue, but risk factors can be identified that may distinguish individuals at increased risk. Root causes may begin in childhood and be related to the family of origin.