Housing interventions for emerging adults experiencing homelessness: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: This review aims to identify and synthesize literature focused on housing interventions for young adults experiencing homelessness. METHODS: Following a five-stage approach to scoping reviews, a computerized search was conducted between February 4-8, 2019 to include peer-reviewed articles from a total of eight electronic databases: PsychINFO, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Social Work Abstracts, Cochrane, Clinicaltrials.gov, and CINAHL. The search was limited to include literature published between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2018. Search parameters included three domains: homelessness, housing intervention, and age. RESULTS: Of the initial 7,344 sources identified, 29 articles met the search criteria and were included in the final sample. Housing models discussed in the reviewed literature include Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional and Independent Housing and Living Programs, the Foyer model, Housing First, and general Supportive Housing. Housing models were discussed in the context of outcome domains including quality of life, education, employment, housing tenure, cost of intervention, systems and service use, HIV, and social network and relationships. DISCUSSION: Housing interventions for young adults experiencing homelessness remains a relatively new intervention to combat homelessness among younger demographics. While the evidence base continues to grow, there remains a need for quality research to generate empirical evidence in this area, though studies included in this review showed promise for the development of best housing practices with this population.

Predictors and correlates of unstable housing experiences among a child welfare-involved sample.

The study examined whether youth demographics, family factors, and maltreatment type were related to unstable housing and whether unstable housing predicted delinquency and marijuana use. Participants included 216 child welfare-affiliated adolescents (mean age = 18.2 years). Youth with more lifetime residences were more likely to experience unstable housing although Latino youth (compared to White, Black, or multiethnic/biracial) were less likely to experience unstable housing. Unstable housing was associated with subsequent delinquency. Caregiver type (parent vs. relative/unrelated caregiver) was not related to unstable housing, thus homelessness prevention programs should include youth who remain with their parents and those with non-parent caregivers.

Adolescent Peer and Parent Relationships Into Emerging Adulthood.

Threats to adolescent and young adult health and well-being come primarily from behavior and life choices. The purpose of this study was to understand the role that peer and parent relationships have on reckless and deviant behaviors during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Select Wave I and Wave III variables from the Add Health database were studied. Adolescent reckless behavior was significantly associated with emerging adult deviant behavior, Wald χ2(1, N = 4,615) = 105, p < .001, ß = 0.152, SE(ß) = 0.015 Adolescent reckless behavior increases the probability of emerging adult deviant behavior among adolescents having lower scores on the quality of peer relationships, Wald χ2(1, N = 4,615) = 56, p < .001, ß = 0.062, SE(ß) = 0.008, and the quality of parent relationships, Wald χ2(1, N = 4,545) = 36, p < .001 ß = 0.052, SE(ß) = 0.009.

Cardiovascular risk in Hispanic and non-Hispanic preschoolers.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups. Identifying risk factors early in life can facilitate use of preventive strategies to reduce risk and improve health status across the life span. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify modifiable (tobacco smoke exposure, physical inactivity, dietary fat intake, overweight, and high blood pressure [BP]) and nonmodifiable (family history, gender, and age) cardiovascular risk factors in low-income preschool children. METHODS: Low-income preschool children (N = 205) 3-5 years old were recruited to participate. Parents completed a multigenerational cardiovascular health history form and a 24-hour dietary recall for themselves and their child. The children's height, weight, and BP were obtained. RESULTS: Of the 205 children, 61% reported ethnicity as Latino or Hispanic, 31.7% non-Hispanic White, 1% non-Hispanic Black, 3.9% Asian, and 2.4% mixed race. The number of males (50.7%) and females (49.3%) was similar. Only 22 (10.7%) children had no identified cardiovascular risk factors. At least one modifiable risk factor was present in 179 (87.3%) children. Fifty-two (25.5%) children had a body mass index (BMI) > or = 85th percentile for gender and age; 44 (22.3%) had a systolic or diastolic BP over the 90th percentile for gender, age, and height; 128 (66.3%) had a dietary fat intake of > 30%; 77 (37.6%) watched TV or played video games more than 2 hr/day; and 48 (23.4%) were exposed to passive tobacco smoke. DISCUSSION: The identification of cardiovascular risk factors in almost 90% of presumably healthy preschoolers provides evidence to support testing of interventions that can improve health behaviors and reduce risks.