Substance Misuse, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempts Among a National Sample of Homeless

ABSTRACT

This study's purpose was to identify the relationship between the annual incidence of drug and alcohol misuse among a national probability sample of 2,974 homeless individuals and self-reports of suicidal ideation and attempts while considering the predictors of both drug and alcohol misuse and suicidal ideation and attempts. By using a national dataset, the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC), and testing a series of logistic models, this study allows for the development of empirically-driven prevention and treatment programs designed to appropriately and effectively target suicidal ideation and attempts among homeless substance misusers.

KEYWORDS:

• Homeless
• substance use
• substance misuse
• suicide
• suicidal ideation
• suicide attempts