Publication year
2013
Citation Title
Homelessness and money mismanagement in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
Journal Name
American Journal of Public Health
Journal Volume
103
Issue Number
S2
Page Numbers
S248-S254
DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2013.301335
Summary
Risk factors (i.e., drug abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, mental and physical health) for homelessness among Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) Veterans are examined, with a particular focus on money mismanagement. Results found mismanagement of money to be a strong predictor of homelessness beyond increased risk from other factors.
Key Findings
Money mismanagement among Veterans predicted higher odds of subsequent homelessness above and beyond other risk factors.
A large number of Veterans surveyed (30%) reported money mismanagement, including writing bad checks, falling victim to a money scam, going over their credit limit, or being referred to a collection agency.
Probable mental health diagnoses were also associated with a greater risk of experiencing homelessness.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop curricula aimed at increasing Veteran’s money management skills
Educate Service members and their families on how to identify and avoid predatory lenders
Assist Veterans in obtaining information about companies and stores that provide military and Veterans savings discounts
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage case management and community support for homeless Veterans to include formal financial literacy education
Continue to support programs that provide money management training for Service members separating from the military
Recommend education for service providers about the risk factors for homelessness among retiring Service members
Methods
This longitudinal study utilized data from the National Post-Deployment Adjustment Survey, in which randomly selected Veterans were invited to participate in a baseline and follow-up survey collected at two time points, one year apart.
Participants included Service members who served after September 11, 2001 and were either separated from Active Duty or a member of the Reserve or Guard.
Participants were recruited via letters sent to their address and could complete online or paper-based surveys.
Participants
Participants were 1,090 Veterans representing all military branches (55.21% Army, 19.92% Air Force, 14.88% Navy, 9.64% Marines, 0.35% Coast Guard).
Forty-eight percent of the sample were Guard or Reserve members.
About 16% of participants were female, 27% were non-White, and the average age was 34 years.
Limitations
Data were gathered through self-reported surveys and participants may have under-reported mental health or substance abuse problems, money mismanagement, or homelessness.
Since invitations to participate were sent through the mail, homeless Veterans may be under-represented.
This was a cross-sectional analysis, which does not allow for examination of causal relationships.
Avenues for Future Research
Examine contributors to money mismanagement that are both civilian-specific and Veteran-specific
Evaluate the effectiveness of current personal financial management training provided to Service members
Continue to investigate how mental health issues and substance use affect homelessness among Veterans
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
As more women serve in the U.S. military, the proportion of females among homeless veterans is increasing. The current study compares the individual characteristics and 1-year outcomes of homeless female and male veterans in the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program nationally. Administrative data on 43,853 veterans (10.69% females; 89.31% males) referred to HUD-VASH were analyzed for gender differences at baseline and over a 1-year period. Homeless female veterans were younger, had shorter homeless and incarceration histories, and were less likely to have substance use disorders than men. However, despite being less likely to report combat exposure, female veterans were more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder. Homeless female veterans were also much more likely to have dependent children with them and to plan to live with family members in supported housing. Once admitted to HUD-VASH, there were no gender differences in attrition or main housing outcomes. Case managers were faster to admit female veterans to the program, reported better working alliances, and provided more services related to employment and income than male veterans. These findings suggest homeless female veterans may have certain strengths, including being younger, less involved in the criminal justice system, and more adept at relating to professional and natural supports; but special attention to noncombat trauma and family-oriented services may be needed.
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