Comparison of the Stressors and Coping Behaviors of Homeless, Previously Homeless, and Never Homeless Poor Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the stressors and coping behaviors of homeless, previously homeless, and never homeless poor school-aged children. Content analyses of interview data from 132 children were used. Forty-four (68%) of the homeless children identified at least one stressor related to being homeless. The three groups of children were similar in regard to stressors related to the family, self, peers, health, school, and environment. In regard to the violent behavior category, significantly more of the previously homeless and never homeless children expressed stressors compared to the homeless children. Significantly more previously homeless and never homeless children identified more social support coping behaviors compared to the homeless children. The three groups of children did not differ in regard to the use of behavioral and cognitive coping strategies.

Use of the Kidcope to identify socio‐economically diverse Spanish school‐age children's stressors and coping strategies

“…This type of chronic environmental stress also disproportionately affects members of ethnic minority groups, because they are overrepresented in disadvantaged neighbourhoods (Attar et al. 1994) and specially affects homeless children (Menke 2000; Huang & Menke 2001). In this respect, the Kidcope might be useful for identifying differences in the type of problems and coping strategies used by children living under stressful conditions in underprivileged sectors of society.…”

The Dynamics of Violence and Homelessness Among Young Families

“…We can also encourage communities to create family centers that provide safe, supportive care (Swick 2004). Children point to social supports as positively influencing their ability to cope with the stress of being homeless (Menke 2000). For example, one child told how his tutor at school came to the shelter to play with him each weekend.…”

Trauma exposure and behavioral outcomes in sheltered homeless children: The moderating role of perceived social support

“…Higher incidences of mental health disturbance, debilitating chronic illnesses, substance abuse, domestic violence, unemployment and transience affect the homeless (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005;Douglas, 1996;Bassuk et al, 1997;Burg, 1994;Rafferty & Shinn 1991;Weinreb, Buckner, Williams, & Nicholson, 2006). Families are most likely to become homeless when combinations of factors collide to overwhelm the precarious underpinnings of their everyday existence (Menke, 2000;Muñoz, Vazquez, Bermejo, & Vazquez, 1999;Shinn, Weitzman, et al, 1998;Shinn, 2002).…”

“…While homelessness is enormously stressful to individuals of any age, children's experiences are unique in that it involves multiple losses during critical developmental periods (Anooshian, 2005;Zima, Bussing, Bystritsky, Widawski, Belin, & Benjamin, 1999). Children who are homeless are likely to be forced to leave behind valued possessions, experience disruptions in friendships and other significant relationships, and both change and infrequently attend school (Berck, 1993;Kozol, 1988;Menke, 2000;Stern & Nuñez, 1999;Yamaguchi, et al, 1997). Additional emotional strains are tied to enduring the social stigma of homelessness (Berck, l993;Kozol, 1998;Nuñez, 1994;Zima, 1994).…”

“…Children and adults may be subject to overcrowded and noisy conditions at night, and unbending rules and regulations that place them on the street to fend for themselves during the day (Anooshian, 2005;Berck, 1992). The entrance into the morass of "being homeless" exacerbates the already fragile coping mechanisms of poor families, ratcheting up the risk for emotional dysfunction (Anooshian, 2005;Browne, l993;Davey, 2004;Goodman, Saxe & Harvey, 1991;Graham-Bermann, Ramirez & Neemann, 1993;Hausman & Hammen, 1993;Masten, Miliotis, Graham-Bermannn, Ramirez, & Neemann, 1993;Menke, 2000;Muñoz, Vazquez, Bermejo, & Vazquez, 1999;Park, Metraux, Brodbar, & Cuhane, 2004;Zima, Bussing,et al, 1999;Zima, Wells, & Freeman, 1994).…”