Adverse outcomes among homeless adolescents and young adults who report a history of traumatic brain injury

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 104; no. 10; pp. 1986 - 1992
• Main Authors: Mackelprang, Jessica L, Harpin, Scott B, Grubenhoff, Joseph A, Rivara, Frederick P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Public Health Association 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Adolescent; Adolescent Health; Adult; Age; Brain damage; Brain Injuries - epidemiology; Brain Injuries - psychology; Child; Children & youth; Disability; Domestic violence; Drug use; Education; Female; Health Status; Homeless people; Homeless Persons - psychology; Homeless Persons - statistics & numerical data; Homelessness; Humans; Injury/Emergency Care/Violence; Investigations; Male; Mental Health; Minnesota; Post traumatic stress disorder; Prevalence; Public health; Research and Practice; Risk Factors; Self report; Sexuality - psychology; Sexuality - statistics & numerical data; Sociodemographics; Socioeconomic Factors; Studies; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Suicides & suicide attempts; Teenagers; Traumatic brain injury; Victimization; Violence - psychology; Violence - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Young adults; Minnesota
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302087

We examined the prevalence of self-reported traumatic brain injury (TBI) among homeless young people and explored whether sociodemographic characteristics, mental health diagnoses, substance use, exposure to violence, or difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) were associated with TBI. We analyzed data from the Wilder Homelessness Study, in which participants were recruited in 2006 and 2009 from streets, shelters, and locations in Minnesota that provide services to homeless individuals. Participants completed 30-minute interviews to collect information about history of TBI, homelessness, health status, exposure to violence (e.g., childhood abuse, assault), and other aspects of functioning. Of the 2732 participating adolescents and young adults, 43% reported a history of TBI. Participants with TBI became homeless at a younger age and were more likely to report mental health diagnoses, substance use, suicidality, victimization, and difficulties with ADLs. The majority of participants (51%) reported sustaining their first injury prior to becoming homeless or at the same age of their first homeless episode (10%). TBI occurs frequently among homeless young people and is a marker of adverse outcomes such as mental health difficulties, suicidal behavior, substance use, and victimization.