Understanding the ecology and development of children and families experiencing homelessness: Implications for practice, supportive services, and policy.

Abstract

The experience of homelessness can pervade multiple levels and facets of a child and family's world. In view of the historical risks in the lives of children who are experiencing homelessness (e.g., growing up under conditions of poverty, exposure to family violence), it is clear that interventions, services, and supports need to be equally comprehensive to have a positive influence on child functioning and development. Consequently, service systems, providers, and community supports need to address the circumstances of children and families experiencing homelessness and, more specifically, better attend to their ecologies and the diverse factors that can affect their well-being and adjustment trajectories. Such an approach is needed to better understand the range of factors and influences on the development and adaptation of these youngsters at home, at school, and with their peers as well as to guide the identification and implementation of adequate family-centered services and supports.

Families experiencing housing instability: The effects of housing programs on family routines and rituals.

“…In contrast, our findings emphasize the importance of understanding families as systems – their interactions, their values, their routines – for family health as well as individual family member health. These findings support Kilmer and colleagues' (2012) recommendations that services be family-centered by focusing on parent-child interactions and relationship building.…”

Do Positive Parenting Practices Moderate Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior Among Homeless Families?

“…This finding is consistent with prior research on homeless families with children (e.g., Gewirtz et al, ; Lee et al, ; Masten et al, ), suggesting that children in homeless families are at particular risk of exhibiting behavior problems when parents are experiencing depressive symptoms and other psychological stressors. Homeless parents often have elevated levels of psychological distress due to precluding and existing circumstances (Kilmer et al, ). Although the mechanisms of this relationship were not tested in the present study, prior research suggests that child behavior problems occurring in the context of parent psychological distress may be attributable to parents being easily angered, being less warm and accepting, and creating less structure and stimulation for their children (Koblinsky, Morgan, & Anderson, ).…”

A Theory of Mental Health and Optimal Service Delivery for Homeless Children

“…A homeless episode is frequently preceded by a period of residential instability during which a family may move multiple times, double up with friends or relatives, or endure poor quality or inadequate housing conditions before a crisis tips the family into literal homelessness (Bassuk et al 2014; Grant et al 2013; Kilmer et al 2012). Many families experience continued residential instability following shelter exit (Stojanovic et al 1999).…”

“…High rates of service use among homeless children do not translate to improved child psychological well-being. Services are frequently provided by independent agencies for discrete needs, and may not be accessible or feasible for all families (Kilmer et al 2012). For some homeless children, return to stable housing may be sufficient while others will require ongoing psychological support (Bassuk et al 2010).…”