By the Numbers: 27 June 2022
1 in 10
The number of veterans who have experienced homelessness, according to a recent article in the journal Psychological Medicine -- Prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in U.S. military veterans.
The lifetime prevalence of homelessness was 10.2% (95% confidence interval 9.3–11.2). More than 8-of-10 veterans reported experiencing their first episode of homelessness following military service, with a mean of 10.6 years post-discharge until onset (S.D. = 12.6). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), cumulative trauma burden, current household income, younger age, and drug use disorder emerged as the strongest correlates of homelessness (49% of total explained variance). Veterans with a history of homelessness had elevated odds of lifetime suicide attempt, attempting suicide two or more times, and past-year suicide ideation [odd ratios (ORs) 1.3–3.1]. They also had higher rates of current probable posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive, generalized anxiety, and drug use disorders (ORs 1.7–2.4); and scored lower on measures of mental, physical, cognitive, psychosocial functioning (d = 0.11–0.15).
1 in 10
The number of veterans who have experienced homelessness, according to a recent article in the journal Psychological Medicine -- Prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in U.S. military veterans.
The lifetime prevalence of homelessness was 10.2% (95% confidence interval 9.3–11.2). More than 8-of-10 veterans reported experiencing their first episode of homelessness following military service, with a mean of 10.6 years post-discharge until onset (S.D. = 12.6). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), cumulative trauma burden, current household income, younger age, and drug use disorder emerged as the strongest correlates of homelessness (49% of total explained variance). Veterans with a history of homelessness had elevated odds of lifetime suicide attempt, attempting suicide two or more times, and past-year suicide ideation [odd ratios (ORs) 1.3–3.1]. They also had higher rates of current probable posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive, generalized anxiety, and drug use disorders (ORs 1.7–2.4); and scored lower on measures of mental, physical, cognitive, psychosocial functioning (d = 0.11–0.15).