Traumatic Stress among Homeless Young Adults: Challenges and Treatment Issues

Summary

This editorial is available open access from the Journal of Traumatic Stress Disorders.

Homeless emerging adults are one of this nation’s most underserved populations and are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of trauma exposure, including developing PTSD. These young people typically reside in unstable and often abusive situations marked by violence and danger. They survive on the street through engaging in high risk behaviors, such as dumpster diving for food, panhandling/begging for money, and selling drugs or sex for money or shelter. These conditions result in a significant risk for serious health and mental health problems, including malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress, drug overdose and increased potential for self harm and suicidal ideation.