J Tsai1, X Gu2. 1. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New England Mental Illness Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC), 950 Campbell Ave., 151D, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. Electronic address: Jack.Tsai@yale.edu. 2. Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examines rates of lifetime adult homelessness among foreign-born adults in the United States and how they differ from native-born adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from a nationally representative US sample were analyzed. METHODS: A sample of 29,896 native-born (weighted 84.1%) and 6404 foreign-born (weighted 16.0%) US adults participating in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III were compared on rates of homelessness, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, mental and substance-use disorders, health insurance, and use of welfare. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in rates of lifetime adult homelessness between foreign-born adults and native-born adults (1.0% vs 1.7%). Foreign-born participants were less likely to have various mental and substance-use disorders, less likely to receive welfare, and less likely to have any lifetime incarceration. The number of years foreign-born adults lived in the United States was significantly associated with risk for homelessness. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the 'healthy immigrant effect' applies to the mental health and social functioning of US immigrants but may not necessarily apply to homelessness. Long-standing immigration procedures requiring mental health and psychosocial evaluations may contribute to selection effects. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
OBJECTIVES: This study examines rates of lifetime adult homelessness among foreign-born adults in the United States and how they differ from native-born adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from a nationally representative US sample were analyzed. METHODS: A sample of 29,896 native-born (weighted 84.1%) and 6404 foreign-born (weighted 16.0%) US adults participating in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III were compared on rates of homelessness, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, mental and substance-use disorders, health insurance, and use of welfare. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in rates of lifetime adult homelessness between foreign-born adults and native-born adults (1.0% vs 1.7%). Foreign-born participants were less likely to have various mental and substance-use disorders, less likely to receive welfare, and less likely to have any lifetime incarceration. The number of years foreign-born adults lived in the United States was significantly associated with risk for homelessness. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the 'healthy immigrant effect' applies to the mental health and social functioning of US immigrants but may not necessarily apply to homelessness. Long-standing immigration procedures requiring mental health and psychosocial evaluations may contribute to selection effects. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Authors: Owen Taylor; Sandrine Loubiere; Aurelie Tinland; Maria Vargas-Moniz; Freek Spinnewijn; Rachel Manning; Marta Gaboardi; Judith R L M Wolf; Ana Bokszczanin; Roberto Bernad; Hakan Kallmen; Paul Toro; Jose Ornelas; Pascal Auquier Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-12-01 Impact factor: 2.692