Adverse childhood experiences and first-time homelessness among a community sample of sexual and gender minority adults

Abstract

ABSTRACTSexual and gender minorities (SGM; i.e. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other identities aka LGBTQIA+) experience homelessness at disproportionately higher rates than their cisgender and heterosexual peers. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE)—experiences of abuse, neglect, or challenges in the family setting—have been identified as a key risk factor for experiencing homelessness. The present study assessed the relationship between ACE and first-time homelessness in a community sample of SGM adults in South Texas. Participants (n = 910) completed a cross-sectional survey and logistic regression models were used to estimate associations with first-time homelessness childhood and adulthood. Adjusting for covariates, the odds of first-time homelessness increased by 1.58 times in childhood (95% CI = 1.36–1.84) and 1.33 times in adulthood (95% CI = 1.21–1.46) for every additional ACE reported. Specific ACE categories were also associated with homelessness experiences. Research is needed to understand the breadth of causes and consequences of homelessness among SGM individuals.KEYWORDS: SGMACEhomelessdepressionanxiety Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.Notes on contributorsTimothy J. GrigsbyTimothy J. Grigsby, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health. His research is focused on the health effects of childhood trauma exposure and the prevention of substance misuse in young adult populations.Andrea LopezAndrea Lopez is a master's student in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health.Clariana Vitoria Ramos de OliveiraClariana Vitoria Ramos de Oliveira, Ph.D is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing. Her research focuses on under-resourced communities in the U.S, focusing on the mental health of minorities.Robert SalcidoRobert Salcido Jr. is the Program Director at Texas Pride Impact Funds and serves as the Executive Director at Pride Center San Antonio.Amy L. StoneAmy L. Stone, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Trinity University. Their research focuses on belonging and marginalization in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in the United States with a focus on urban communities.Phillip W. SchnarrsPhillip W. Schnarrs, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of community-based participatory research in the Department of Population Health at The UT Austin Dell School of Medicine. He is an applied health researcher and expert in LGBTQ+ populations specializing in sexual health, mental health and substance use disorder.