Personal resources and homelessness in early life: Predictors of depression in consumers of homeless multiService centers

This study explored the relationship between personal resources and previous adverse life events such as homelessness and depression. Participants were recruited from two church sponsored multisite social service centers in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The interview included demographics and several standardized scales to assess history of homelessness, medical history, personal resources, and depressive symptoms. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that participants with higher levels of depressive symptoms were older, had a history of homelessness, had more health problems, had a history of mental illness, and had lower self-esteem, mastery, and mattering. A subanalysis indicated that individuals who had experienced homelessness at or before age 21 had higher levels of depressive symptoms than those who were first homeless as an adult. Previous history of homelessness, especially before age 21, and lack of personal resources may place individuals at risk for psychological distress, including higher levels of depressive symptoms.