Sex/Gender Differences in the Associations Between Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health Problems Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Abstract

Adults experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected by mental health problems and the risk factors for them (i.e., adverse childhood experiences [ACEs], intimate partner violence [IPV], and cumulative trauma). However, little is known about whether there are sex/gender differences in the associations between ACEs, IPV, and cumulative trauma with mental health problems among this population. This study examined whether sex/gender moderated the association between (a) 10 widely studied ACEs or IPV or (b) cumulative trauma (i.e., cumulative ACEs, or cumulative ACEs and IPV) with mental health problems among this high-risk population. Data were used from participants in a national study who identified as experiencing homelessness (n = 1,026). Logistic regression models tested the effects of (a) each ACE individually or IPV and ACE/IPV–sex/gender interactions or (b) cumulative trauma and cumulative trauma–sex/gender interactions on lifetime mental health problems (i.e., mood disorder, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, and nicotine dependence) and attempted suicide while controlling for age and education. Sex/gender moderated several associations between ACEs or cumulative trauma with mental health problems. ACEs were associated with some greater odds of mental health problems among men. Conversely, cumulative trauma was associated with greater odds of mood disorder among females. Findings document sex/gender differences among adults experiencing homelessness that need to be further investigated to advance sex/gender-based psychological science and inform the potential tailoring of prevention and intervention efforts.

Keywords

adverse childhood experiences intimate partner violence homelessness sex/gender cumulative trauma

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