Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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Author(s): Natasha Slesnick
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Publication Date: 2018
Much of what is known about youth who are homeless is obtained from those engaged through service programs, such as drop-in centres or shelters. This means that much less is known about youth experiencing homelessness who are not engaged in services as they are excluded from most studies. This is a significant concern because some reports indicate that youth who are not connected to services represent the majority of youth who are homeless: less...
Author(s): Aaron Murnan, Jing Zhang, Natasha Slesnick
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Publication Date: 2018
The majority of families that are homeless are headed by single mothers who have an average of two young children in their care. These mothers are especially vulnerablebecause they struggle to meet the basic needs of their children and themselves. In addition to the stress of homelessness, they also often struggle with substance use, and physical and mental health problems (Slesnick, Glassman, Katafiasz, & Collins, 2012). Moreover, the harshn...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Publication Date: 2018
Adolescents who access shelters have usually experienced high levels of family conflict and a lack of family support (Ferguson, 2009; Tyler, 2006). Their home environments are often characterized by instability, including a lack of parental protection, chaos in the household, and substance use among family members. Moreover, these adolescents often experience maltreatment, including verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as emotional neglect...
Author(s): Sean Kidd, Natasha Slesnick, Tyler Frederick, Jeff Karabanow, Stephen Gaetz
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Publication Date: 2018
The book contains four sections covering a range of topics that service providers inquire about most often. Part 1: Approaches and Interventions describes specific approaches to addressing the mental health and substance use challenges of youth experiencing homelessness. Topics include the community reinforcement approach and motivational enhancement therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, mindfulness approaches, trauma-informed care, ecologicall...
Author(s): Brittany Brakenhoff, Natasha Slesnick
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Publication Date: 2018
The relationship between mental health, substance use, and homelessness is complex. An estimated 48%–98% of youth who are homeless meet criteria for at least one mental health diagnosis (Hodgson, Shelton, van den Bree, & Los, 2013). Common disorders include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychosis, substance use disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Hodgson et al., 2013). Between 69%...
Author(s): Jasmin Carmona, Natasha Slesnick, Xiamei Guo, Aaron Murnan, Brittany Brakenhoff
Publication Date: 2017
Homeless youth have high rates of substance use and often lack connection to social services. Outreach is critical for connecting youth to services, but factors influencing their outreach engagement are unknown. This study examined predictors of meetings with outreach workers among 79 non-service connected, substance using homeless youth between 14 and 24 years of age. Results provide direction to service providers in that older age, higher level...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Jing Zhang, Brittany Brakenhoff
Publication Date: 2016
Objective
Non-service connected, continuously homeless youth are arguably one of the most vulnerable populations in the U.S. These youth reside at society's margins experiencing an accumulation of risks over time. Research concludes that as vulnerabilities increase so do poor long-term outcomes. This study tested the mediating effects of service connection and personal control as mediators of cumulative risk and housing, health and mental health...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Jing Zhang, Brittany Brakenhoff
Publication Date: 2016
Homeless youths who live on the streets are particularly vulnerable to victimization and continued homelessness. Identifying factors associated with housing stability and victimization while homeless can offer useful guidance for those who serve these youths. The current study examined the relationship between multiple caretakers and the unique effect of childhood abuse (physical, sexual, neglect) on past-year housing and victimization experience...
Author(s): Jasmin Carmona, Natasha Slesnick, Xiamei Guo, Aaron Murnan, Brittany Brakenhoff
Publication Date: 2015
Homeless youth have high rates of substance use and often lack connection to social services. Outreach is critical for connecting youth to services, but factors influencing their outreach engagement are unknown. This study examined predictors of meetings with outreach workers among 79 non-service connected, substance using homeless youth between 14 and 24 years of age. Results provide direction to service providers in that older age, higher level...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Xiamei Guo, Brittany Brakenhoff, Denitza Bantchevska
Publication Date: 2015
While research on homeless adolescents and young adults evidencing substance use disorder is increasing, there is a dearth of information regarding effective interventions, and more research is needed to guide those who serve this population. The current study builds upon prior research showing promising findings of the community reinforcement approach (CRA) (Slesnick, Prestopnik, Meyers, & Glassman, 2007). Homeless adolescents and young adul...
Author(s): Xiamei Guo, Natasha Slesnick, Xin Feng
Publication Date: 2015
This study reports the mental health outcomes of a small randomized clinical trial (n = 60) that compared housing and supportive services (Ecologically-Based Treatment, EBT) to community based housing and support services (treatment as usual, TAU). Mothers receiving EBT, but not those receiving TAU, reported reductions in their children’s behavioral health problems. Reductions in mothers’ mental health problems and intimate partner violence were...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Xiamei Guo, Brittany Brakenhoff, Xin Feng
Publication Date: 2013
Given high levels of health and psychological costs associated with the family disruption of homelessness, identifying predictors of runaway and homeless episodes is an important goal. The current study followed 179 substance abusing, shelter-recruited adolescents who participated in a randomized clinical trial. Predictors of runaway and homeless episodes were examined over a two year period. Results from the hierarchical linear modeling analysis...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Xiamei Guo
Publication Date: 2012
The current study sought to identify information that may inform treatment providers regarding services for, and engagement of, substance-abusing homeless mothers. Shelter-recruited, substance-abusing homeless mothers' desires for treatment in several commonly reported problem areas including substance use, parenting, depressive symptoms/mood, physical health, and childhood abuse history were assessed. The correspondence between mother's desire f...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Michael Glassman, Heather Katafiasz, Jennifer C. Collins
Publication Date: 2012
This article documents the experiences of providing housing and supportive services, or ecologically based treatment, to shelter-recruited, substance-abusing homeless women with young children in their care. Among clients, observed experiences related to housing, substance abuse, and health and mental health care are discussed. Among therapists, experiences related to managing the chaotic nature of the client's lives, wanting to manage the client...
Author(s): Pushpanjali Dashora, Natasha Slesnick, Gizem Erdem
Publication Date: 2012
Substance abuse among homeless mothers has negative consequences for both the mother and her child. Few researchers have examined the needs of these mothers in order to effectively intervene in their lives. This study uses a qualitative focus group research method to examine the needs of substance abusing homeless mothers recruited from a homeless families' shelter. Twenty eight women were engaged in three focus groups to identify their needs and...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Gizem Erdem
Publication Date: 2012
This study pilot-tested a comprehensive intervention with 15 homeless women and their 2- to 6-year-old children, recruited from a local family shelter.(Authors)
Author(s): Brittany Sznajder-Murray, Natasha Slesnick
Publication Date: 2011
Few interventions have been developed for substance-abusing homeless mothers. Among those interventions, high dropout rates (up to 85%) are consistently reported. Understanding homeless mothers’ experiences with service providers may be an important first step to understanding ways to increase treatment engagement. Therefore, the current study used qualitative methods to gain a better understanding of homeless mothers’ perceptions of service prov...
Author(s): Jennifer Collins, Natasha Slesnick
Publication Date: 2011
This study sought to identify and compare variables associated with motivation to change alcohol, drug use, and HIV risk behaviors among a sample of homeless youths. More frequent alcohol use, older age, and childhood sexual abuse were associated with greater motivation to change alcohol use; higher reported negative consequences of substance use were associated with higher motivation to reduce illicit drug use. Shorter periods of current homeles...
Author(s): Erika L. Grafsky, Amber Letcher, Natasha Slesnick, Julianne M. Serovich
Publication Date: 2010
Researchers have found that adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) are at higher risk for increased substance use and mental health symptoms. The current study is a secondary analysis of two clinical trials for street-living youth. This analysis examines self-identification as GLB as a moderator of treatment effects and addresses whether street-living GLB youth respond differently to a therapeutic intervention than non-GLB st...
Author(s): Natasha Slesnick, Michael Glassman, Rikki Garren, Paula Toviessi, Denitza Bantchevska, Pushpanjali Dashora
Publication Date: 2008
This paper discusses how to operate a youth drop-on center and different ways to provide services to homeless youth to enhance their motivation for change.
Drop-in centers have the potential to facilitate engagement of homeless youth into treatment and back into the mainstream. However, little guidance was found in the literature regarding how to open and sustain a drop-in center for homeless youth. This paper offers such guidance, including info...