Mixed methods on adverse childhood experiences predicting transitional and recurrent homelessness

Aims: Research has associated lack of parental care, physical abuse, and parental substance abuse to homelessness, with the presence of two or more such factors dramatically increasing one's chances of becoming homeless as an adult. Less clear is which (cumulation of) factors may mediate the difference between transitional and recurrent homelessness.

Methods: Quantitative analysis of four risk factors—addiction, weak social network, criminal activity, psychopathology—among 69 transitionally and recurrently homeless (RH) adults, followed by in‐depth qualitative analysis of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among 30 selected participants.

Results: RH participants had higher cumulative risk and a higher prevalence and broader range of ACEs than transitionally homeless participants, with the prevalence of childhood physical abuse marking the greatest difference between the two groups. Recurrent homelessness was also correlated with addiction to hard drugs, criminal activity, and weak social networks.

Conclusion: Longitudinal and intervention studies in larger groups are needed to assess causality.