Stressful life events and risk of homelessness after active duty: An assessment of risk and resilience among servicemembers
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Montgomery, A. E., Koh, K. A., King, A. J., O’Brien, R., Sampson, N. A., Petriceks, A… Kessler, R. C. (2023). Stressful life events and risk of homelessness after active duty: An assessment of risk and resilience among servicemembers. Public Health Reports, 138(6), 963-970. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549221149092
Abstract Created by REACH:
This longitudinal study examined whether Veterans’ exposure to stressful life events across the transition from military to civilian life contributed to their risk of homelessness. Veterans (N = 6,837) reported on stressful life events and homelessness across 3 time points: during active duty: 2011–14 (T1); after active duty: 2016–18 (T2); and again in 2018–19 (T3). Participants were identified as at either high or low risk for homelessness based on stressful life events experienced during active duty. These groups were compared to determine which stressful life events contributed to homelessness over time. Veterans who experienced more stressful life events during or after active duty were at higher risk of homelessness. Economic problems and betrayal by a loved one were the most robust predictors of homelessness.
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Veterans
Other
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Active Duty
Guard
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Active duty service member
Guard/Reserve member
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Montgomery, Ann Elizabeth, Koh, Katherine A., King, Andrew J., O’Brien, Robert, Sampson, Nancy A., Petriceks, Aldis, Stein, Murray B., Ursano, Robert J., Kessler, Ronald C.
Abstract:
Objectives:The transition from military to civilian life may present increased exposure to various stressful life events (SLEs) that can increase the risk of homelessness (eg, loss of employment, dissolution of romantic relationships). We assessed the extent to which exposure to SLEs occurring proximal to US Army soldier transitions out of active duty was associated with risk of homelessness.Methods:A total of 16 589 respondents who were no longer on active duty but participated while on active duty during 2011-2014 baseline surveys completed follow-up surveys during 2016-2018 and 2018-2019. The follow-up surveys assessed SLEs and homelessness occurring in the past 12 months. We used modified Poisson regression models to evaluate how much differential SLE exposure and effects explained the aggregate association of a risk index with homelessness among a sample of 6837 respondents, weighted to represent the full sample.Results:More than half (n = 3510, 52.8%) of respondents reported experiencing any SLEs in the past 12 months. Most (60.5%) of the difference in prevalence of homelessness among respondents defined as being at high risk of homelessness (vs lower risk) was explained by differential exposure to, and/or effects of, these SLEs. Personal betrayal by a loved one and economic problems played the largest roles in adjusted risk differences (0.045 and 0.074, respectively).Conclusions:Homelessness might be reduced by gearing interventions toward soldiers at high risk of homelessness who are transitioning out of active duty to reduce exposure to and effects of modifiable SLEs on experiencing homelessness.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
stressful life experiences, homelessness, transition to civilian life, Army STARRS
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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