HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

1
1

Homelessness Among Female Veterans: Risk Factors and Interventions

Kritzia M. Rosas
Wayne State University

SW 3810

Homelessness Among Female Veterans: Risk Factors and Interventions

Part I: Problem Description
The social issue I chose to research is homelessness among female veterans. I have seen
very little studies done in regards to this population and specific social issue. I currently work
with veterans and very few of the veterans I work with are females. I have also volunteered with
the veteran population and very seldom do I see female veterans in the hospital. Homeless
female veterans are a very vulnerable group and I am concerned that there has been very little

HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

2
2

focus on their needs and well-being. Homelessness among female veterans is of interest to me,
not only because I have female friends who are service related but also, because I am very
interested in the veteran population as a whole and I want to ensure that females are being
offered the assistance needed for them to have a smooth transfer to civilian life as much as
males. Homelessness is a social problem to many people in the world, I want to focus on a very
vulnerable group such as female veterans because females tend to be more emotional creatures
and if experiencing war can be detrimental to males, I cant imagine the effects that it can have
on females and also how difficult it could be to adjust to civilian life upon discharge.
Numerous studies have been conducted on homelessness among female veterans.
According to Tsai et al.s (2012) female veterans have a higher risk of being homeless than male
veterans and civilian females. Most studies correlate homelessness with emotional or mental
disorders. Also, the fact that females tend to have a more difficulties finding employment than
males contributes to the female veteran homelessness social issue. Within reading the studies
done with this particular population, I want to learn more about the interventions in place and
also about all of the main risk factors of female veterans homelessness. I reviewed four different
articles related to this social issue with similar outcomes and I want to provide my input of what
interventions would work best with this specific population and also some alternative
interventions that can be put in place.
Part II: Summary of the Evidence
In Tsai et al.s (2012) the outcomes of homeless female and male veterans in transitional
housing programs were compared. The research article reviewed 3 comprehensive studies on
homelessness among female veterans. One study concluded that the risk of homelessness is two
to four times greater for women veterans than for nonveteran females and another study found

HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

3
3

that compared to homeless male veterans, homeless female veterans are younger, less likely to be
employed, more likely to have a major mental illness, but less likely to have a substance use
disorder (Tsai et al., 2012, p. 706). A recent, small case control study also found that sexual
assault during military service, being unemployed, being disabled, and having worse physical
and mental health were risk factors for homelessness among female veterans (Tsai et al., 2012, p.
706). In the current study, data from a multi-site outcome study of homeless veterans enrolled in
VA-funded transitional housing services was used (McGuire et al., 2011) to extend previous
findings through cross-sectional comparisons of homeless male and female veterans at the time
of entry into transitional housing and examining outcomes 12 months after discharge (Tsai et al.,
2012, p. 706). The hypothesis was that female veterans would have worse outcomes than their
male counterparts after transitional housing. In Tsai et al.s (2012) it was found that female
participants were significantly younger, more likely to have a mood disorder, have been fewer
days homeless in past month, more days housed in past month, fewer days of alcohol use in the
past month, and fewer days of paid work (p. 707-708). There were no significant differences on
program type or other variables, but female participants showed some decrease in employment
income and increase in ASI-Psychiatric scores, whereas male participants continued to show
improvement (Tsai et al., 2012, p. 708). I truly enjoyed this research article; it gave welldefined results of the needs of the homeless female veterans. The article addressed cultural
concerns such as the struggle between male and female equality and ways to intervene with the
issue. The article also focused on social work values as far as social justice and the promotion of
equality and well being of all.
In Washington et al.s (2010) article review, the objective was to determine risk factors
for homelessness in non-institutionalized female veterans, and to contrast their health and health

HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

4
4

care use with those of housed women veterans. Among women veterans, being unemployed,
disabled, or unmarried were the strongest predictors of homelessness (Washington et al., 2010, p.
87). I like this research article because it compared housed female veterans to homeless female
veterans to get a better understanding of the population. I mainly liked the fact that they focused
on health care as an issue and a possible way of homelessness intervention due to the fact that
there is a high amount of homeless disabled female veterans who are not getting the treatment
that they so desperately need. This article assessed cultural concerns within the veteran
population, but not specifically on racial or cultural background. This research was aligned with
social work values because it was centered on the well being of female veterans as far as their
health and their mental and physical stability.
In Tsai et al.s (2012) article review focused on homeless female veterans who have also
reported high rates of trauma exposure. Tsai et al.s (2012) argued that homeless female veterans
who have experienced traumatic stressors would show worse functioning over time. The studys
objective was not only to focus on traumatic events of homeless female veterans, but also to find
the association between traumatic experience and medical issues and the outcomes of treatment
provided. According to Tsai et al.s (2012) it was concluded that 99% of homeless female
veterans participating in a specialized service program experienced exposure to potential trauma.
This research article was not as good as the previous articles, but it was informative in showing
evidence about the association between trauma and homelessness. This article addressed the
population Im focusing on, but it is vague since it only focuses on trauma experiences. Cultural
concerns were not addressed directly. Social work values were addressed which is the main goal
of providing housing and promoting the well being of this vulnerable population.
Interventions

HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

5
5

From the suggested literature the interventions that seem to be the best for homeless
female veterans is the enrollment in a VA funded transitional housing service or the Homeless
Women Veteran Programs (HWVP) to provide shelter for female veterans. Also, seeking VA
mental health treatment to prevent any further emotional and psychological damage. As
Washington et al.s (2010) suggested some preventions that could be put in place include college
education, job training, and transitional housing for all returning veterans to alleviate this social
issue.
The best way to prevent homeless from happening is to have a plan upon return to
civilian life. If homelessness prevention post discharge plans are implemented when veterans are
recruited in the service or before they are sent to war, the risk of the veteran becoming homeless
will be greatly decreased. Implementing a post discharge plan could include all the above
interventions, such as transitional housing, mental health treatment, availability of college
education or job training to be able to better adjust back into civilian life and mainly prevent the
homelessness of veterans. Prevention is always a better method than intervention. It is best to
stop a problem from occurring than having solve a major issue once it has taken place and made
damage to peoples lives. To be able to better assist female veterans, the help must be
specifically for them. For example, homeless pregnant female veterans have very different needs
than other veterans and they should be accommodated to ensure the safety of the veteran and the
fetus. Without a plan, homelessness is going to remain a major social issue within the female
veteran population.
Part III: Summary
In order to gain a complete understanding about the special needs of homeless female
veterans it is necessary to conduct studies that focus on all aspects of the culture of this specific

HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

6
6

population. This includes but is not limited to, mental health treatment, trauma, disabilities,
employment status, pregnancies, marital status, and health care issues. Some of the advantages
of using Evidence Based Practice with my population of interest are that the population is not
being over looked and their needs can now be better assessed and met by the VA and other
organizations interested in helping vulnerable veteran populations such as the homeless female
veterans. A draw back from using Evidence Based Practice is the quality of the research done
and the unknown selection of participants. The participants, who were part of the studies, might
not have expressed some of the other homeless female veteran populations needs therefore
making it difficult to help them find the help they need.
Overall, Evidence Based Practice is helpful to better understand the needs of the
populations we, as social workers, serve. Without research and Evidenced Based Practice it
would be extremely difficult to understand the essential needs of each specific population, their
feelings, and many experiences and different cultures they acquire. Continuous research should
be done to ensure that the needs of these vulnerable populations are being met and if any changes
occur it should be implemented in the plan of care or plan of intervention.

HOMELESSNESS AMONG FEMALE VETERANS

7
7

References
Tsai, J., Rosenheck, R. A., Decker, S. E., Desai, R.A., Harpaz-Rotem I. (2012). Trauma
Experience Among Homeless Female Veterans: Correlates and Impact on Housing,
Clinical, and Psychosocial Outcomes. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25(6), 624-632.
Tsai, J., Rosenheck R. A., McGuire, J. F. (2012). Comparison of Outcomes of Homeless Female
and Male Veterans in Transitional Housing Community Mental Health. Community
Mental Health Journal, 48(6), 705-710.
Washington, D. L., Yano, E. M., McGuire, J., Hines, V., Lee, M., Gelberg, L. (2010). Risk
Factors for Homelessness among Women Veterans. Journal of Health Care for the Poor
and Underserved, 21(1), 81-91.