Wilson Foundation

The SHIFT study examined long-term outcomes of families in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany residing in three types of housing programs: emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. It identifies trauma as pervasive among homeless mothers and is a predictor of unemployment, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Dis... order (PTSD), and long-term residential instability. Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in the United States, approaching 40% of the total homeless population. View the Full Study from The National Center on Family Homelessness. Trauma symptom severity in mothers predicts long-term residential instability. More than nine out of 10 mothers who participated in the survey had experienced at least one instance of trauma in their lives; 81% had experienced multiple traumas. The average number of traumatic events in a mothers lifetime was three, with interpersonal violence being the most common type of trauma. In addition to residential instability, trauma symptom severity predicts unemployment, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Roughly half of the mothers met the criteria for PTSD at baseline. Maternal mental health problems in mothers that go untreated have implications for the long-term emotional and physical well-being of their children. Twenty-five percent of the children had a medical condition or physical disability that affected ability to participate in usual childhood activities. Nearly one-third of mothers reported having a child with emotional and/or learning problems. Sixty-five percent of the children had conduct problems or hyperactivity; 40 percent had peer problems. Forty percent of mothers reported having a child live apart from her during the course of the study. Services for children should assess and address childrens attachment, development, and behavioral issues. Mothers need to be assessed for trauma histories and trauma symptom severity so those at greatest risk for residential instability can ...Read More