Homeless Children and Stress: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Families with children constitute the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population. Past literature has indicated that children who are homeless experience more stress than children who are not homeless. This study measured the level of psychosocial stress experienced by homeless children by utilizing two direct and two indirect measurement tools. The sample included 52 children from family-shelter facilities in Central Florida. T-test results indicated a statistically significant difference between the sample’s scores and that of the normative group. Prompt intelVention at both the individual and environmental level is recommended.

Keywords::

• Homelessness
• Children
• Stress
• Research