Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among sheltered homeless mothers.

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among sheltered homeless women in Flint, Michigan. All of the women, who ranged in age from 15 to 48, had at least one child staying with them at the shelter. Eighty-nine percent of the women were African-American. Four-fifths had never been married. Over 80% of the women in the study scored above the cutoff point on the CES-D depression inventory indicating possible depression; 68% of the women in the study scored above the cutoff on the CES-D indicating probable depression. Increased reports of depressive symptoms were found among those with a history of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, frequent moves during the past year, street use, little social support, low self-esteem, and an external locus of control. Indeed, these variables accounted for 36% of the variance in CES-D scores. Childhood sexual abuse and locus of control oriention were significant predictors of depressive symptoms when other variables were held constant. The multiple regression analysis also showed a trend for homeless women who were younger, who had had to sleep outdoors with their children, and/or who had experienced the loss of someone close at an early age to be at increased risk for depressive symptoms. Although these data are cross-sectional, and causal conclusions must be advanced with caution, they suggest that depressive symptomatology among homeless mothers is a function of the traumatic events and experiences that produce depression among people in general. What seems to be special about homeless mothers is the extent to which these presumed risk factors are present. The findings also underscore the necessity for greater understanding and appreciation of a group of individuals who, having been victimized already, are being victimized once again by being labelled and blamed for their position in life.