A comparison of the health and mental health status of homeless mothers in Worcester, Mass: 1993 and 2003.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed background characteristics, health status, and prevalence rates of mental health disorders in 2 studies of homeless mothers conducted in Worcester, Mass, one in 1993 and the other in 2003.


METHODS
We compared the women taking part in the 2 studies, which involved similar methodologies, on the key variables of interest over time.


RESULTS
Homeless families taking part in the 2003 study were poorer than those taking part in the 1993 study, and female heads of household in that study reported more physical health limitations, major depressive illness, and posttraumatic stress disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Data from 2003 suggest that the characteristics of homeless mothers changed over the 10-year period assessed. Service providers and shelter staff may need to refine services so that they are responsive to these changing needs.
Weinreb
Linda F
LF
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. weinrebl@ummhc.org
Buckner
John C
JC
Williams
Valerie
V
Nicholson
Joanne
J
D000328:Adult; D000385:Aid to Families with Dependent Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003151:Community Health Centers; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health / Q000191:economics