A model of homelessness among male veterans of the Vietnam War generation.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored a multifactorial model of vulnerability to homelessness among male veterans of the Vietnam war generation.


METHODS
Data from 1,460 male veterans who participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study were used to evaluate hypotheses about the causes of homelessness grouped into four sets of sequential variables: 1) premilitary risk factors, 2) war related and non-war-related traumatic experiences, 3) lack of social support at the time of discharge from military service, and 4) postmilitary psychiatric disorder and social dysfunction. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the posited model of risk factors for homelessness.


RESULTS
Postmilitary social isolation, psychiatric disorder, and substance abuse had the strongest direct effects on homelessness, although substantial indirect effects from stressors related to being in the war zone and from premilitary conduct disorder were observed. Several premilitary factors--year of birth, childhood physical or sexual abuse, other childhood traumas, and placement in foster care during childhood--also had direct effects on homelessness.


CONCLUSIONS
Individual vulnerability to homelessness is most likely due to a multiplicity of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric factors, with independent influences emerging at each of four discrete time periods. In view of this complex pattern of influences, prevention efforts directed at individuals must address a very broad range of adjustment problems.
Rosenheck
R
R
Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06516.
Fontana
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012934:Social Isolation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014744:Vietnam