거리노숙인의 만성노숙과 연관된 인구사회학적, 임상적 변인

• Published in: Singyŏng chŏngsin ŭihak Vol. 55; no. 4; pp. 386 - 396
• Main Author: 이숭홍, 배치운, 고효정, 정운진, 고상현
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한신경정신의학회 30.11.2016
• Subjects: 정신과학; Homeless; Clinical correlates; 노숙인; 만성노숙; Mental disorder; 임상적 관련인자; Chronic homelessness; 정신장애
• ISSN: 1015-4817; 2289-0963
• DOI: 10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.4.386

ObjectivesZZThis exploratory study was designed to estimate the socio-demographic characteristics, course of homelessness, adverse childhood experiences, and prevalence of mental disorders among the street homeless people in Seoul, Korea. In addition, we examined the associations between chronic homelessness and study variables. MethodsZZThe study subjects were 75 homeless people dwelling in the street around Seoul Station. Questionnaires related to socio-demographic data and the course of homelessness were provided to each subject. The subjects’ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) mental disorder diagnoses were made by using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus interviews. ResultsZZMost subjects exhibited chronic homelessness and the prevalence of DSM-IV mental disorders among the homeless subjects was higher than that among the Korean general population. There was a statistically significant association between chronic homelessness and adverse childhood experiences. Compared to those with no history of childhood adversity, homeless people with a history of childhood adversity had a younger age of first homeless episode and a higher prevalence of DSM-IV major mental disorders. The association between DSM-IV diagnosis and chronic homelessness was not significant, but the group with mental disorders had more prevalent re-housing and homeless recurrent histories. ConclusionZZStreet homeless people were often involved in chronic homelessness. Results of this study suggest that homeless people who were never married and had adverse childhood experiences were more vulnerable to chronic homelessness. In addition, we detected a possible relationship between the recurrence of homelessness and the presence of mental disorders. KCI Citation Count: 2