As the number of children who are homeless increases annually, the impact of the problem on children’s development becomes a concern that needs to be addressed effectively. The health and overall wellbeing of the children are at risk as homelessness affects their social, emotional, and psychological development. The paper presents an analysis of studies by various authors on the impact of homelessness on the psychological health of the children and the way forward.
There is a high number of homeless children in the USA and it continues rising. According to Coker et al. (1446), 23% of the homeless in America were children under 18 years. The condition is associated with living below the poverty line. It forces many families that cannot afford housing to resort to life in abandoned buildings, emergency shelters, cars and the streets. The study done through a cross-sectional survey focused on fifth-grade students in 3 cities in America revealed a positive correlation between homelessness and the occurrence of behavioral, emotional, and developmental challenges (1449). According to Buckner et al. (246), a study of 148 never homeless children and 80 homeless children revealed a similar correlation. Housing status was connected to the occurrence of anxiety, depression, and other problem behaviors among children. The homeless and poorly housed youth suffered most (246).
The negative impact of homelessness on child development can be attributed to the high-stress levels associated with the circumstances or the period before homelessness. Homeless children are more likely to witness or have witnessed a lot of violence which affects their psychological well-being. They are also victims of various forms of violence in the streets or in their former homes which caused them to run away and endure a life of homelessness (Coker et al. 1449). According to Buckner et al. (251), some of the chronic and acute stressors homeless children have to deal with include; the lack of financial resources, school change, residential instability, poor nutrition, exposure to violence, and substance use problems.
The studies also reveal a connection between the children’s emotional, development, and behavioral problems to the mental health of their parents (Coker et al. 1450). Several studies have shown a high rate of mental health problems among homeless mothers. Some of the illnesses include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and psychological stress. The situation is worse for children who are ever homeless. The longer the children are exposed to homelessness, the worse the issues are. The impact of parental mental health is also highlighted by Buckner et al. (246). The problem has an impact on children regardless of the part of the country they come from. The study revealed similar implications of homelessness on children from rural, urban, and suburban regions in America (Coker et al. 1450).
Following the findings, a lot can be done to help the children cope with the effects of homelessness on their health and wellbeing. Caregivers and health professionals involved in providing for the children’s needs should be aware of the circumstances they live in and how they are affected. A consideration of the living environment and limited resources will help in adopting the most effective interventions. It is also vital to prevent homelessness even before it occurs. As the evidence showed that unbearable family conditions led to homelessness, intervening to promote peaceful, stable, and stimulating families is likely to reduce the rate of homelessness among children. Social services and appropriate health services can ensure stable living among families. Government interventions can also go a long way in ensuring change. According to Coker et al. (1451), governments can use policies to ensure the various states have adequate funds directed towards the poor families' housing needs.
The social implication of homelessness is evident in the children’s feelings of shame, social stigma, and being ostracized by their peers. It increases the likelihood of depression and feelings of worthlessness (Buckner et al 254). Thus, interventions should go beyond housing and provide appropriate counseling and life skills training. It will allow the children to accept and learn from their circumstances thus overcome the challenges.
How future research can build on this research
Although there is a lot of information following the various studies on homelessness among children, authors acknowledge the fact that more studies need to be undertaken to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. The authors noted the need to avoid viewing the connection between homelessness and development problems as causal. In future, studies can be done to explore the temporal relationship between the two variables. The authors also highlighted the need for studies that were more representative of the entire USA population. It follows the fact that their study was only limited to 3 cities. A wider scope is more likely to produce findings that can be generalized to the entire population. It will lay a foundation for the development of intervention strategies specific to the needs of all children affected by the homelessness problem (Coker et al. 1450).
The study by Buckner et al. (248) provided results that were more representative through a focus on a sample comparable to 9 big American cities. However, they noted a limitation in the number of African Americans (less) and Hispanics (more) represented in the sample. Future studies can build on the results and methods for more findings on the problem and what can be done to eradicate it.
Conclusion
Following the findings presented by the author, the paper depicts a need for effective interventions to minimize and eventually end homelessness and its impact on the lives of children globally. More research needs to be done to comprehend the extent of the problem in various contexts. Through the information, the society, government, and various organizations can come together in the development and implementation of effective solutions to the problem. Through a collective approach, the society can mitigate the impact of homelessness on children.
Works Cited
Buckner, John C., Ellen L. Bassuk, Linda F. Weinreb, and Margaret G. Brooks. “Homelessness and Its Relation to the Mental Health and Behavior of Low-Income School-Age Children.” Developmental Psychology, vol. 35, no. 1, 1999, pp. 246-257.
Coker, Tumaini R., Marc N. Elliot, David E. Kanouse, Jo Anne Grunbaum, Janice Gilliland, Susan R. Tortolero, Paula Cuccaro, and Mark A. Schuster. “Prevalence, Characteristics, and Associated Health Care of Family Homelessness Among Fifth-Grade Students.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 99, no. 8, 2009, pp. 1446-1452.
