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From substance use to homelessness or vice versa?

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  • McVicar, Duncan
  • Moschion, Julie
  • van Ours, Jan C.

Abstract

Homelessness is associated with substance use, but whether substance use precedes or follows homelessness is unclear. We investigate the nature of the relationship between homelessness and substance use using data from the unique Australian panel dataset Journeys Home collected in 4 surveys over the period from October 2011 to May 2013. Our data refer to 1325 individuals who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We investigate dynamics in homelessness and substance use over the survey period. We find that the two are closely related: homeless individuals are more likely to be substance users and substance users are more likely to be homeless. These relationships, however, are predominantly driven by observed and unobserved individual characteristics which cause individuals to be both more likely to be homeless and to be substance users. Once we take these personal characteristics into account it seems that homelessness does not affect substance use, although we cannot rule out that alcohol use increases the probability that an individual becomes homeless. These overall relationships also hide some interesting heterogeneity by ‘type’ of homelessness.

Suggested Citation

  • McVicar, Duncan & Moschion, Julie & van Ours, Jan C., 2015. "From substance use to homelessness or vice versa?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 89-98.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:136-137:y:2015:i::p:89-98
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.05.005
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    1. Mark Wooden & Andrew Bevitt & Abraham Chigavazira & Nancy Greer & Guy Johnson & Eoin Killackey & Julie Moschion & Rosanna Scutella & Yi-Ping Tseng & Nicole Watson, 2012. "Introducing ‘Journeys Home’," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 45(3), pages 368-378, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Moschion, Julie & van Ours, Jan C., 2021. "Do transitions in and out of homelessness relate to mental health episodes? A longitudinal analysis in an extremely disadvantaged population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    3. Hannah Carver & Tessa Parkes & Wendy Masterton & Hazel Booth & Lee Ball & Helen Murdoch & Danilo Falzon & Bernie M. Pauly, 2022. "The Potential for Managed Alcohol Programmes in Scotland during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Exploration of Key Areas for Implementation Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Res," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Tessa Parkes & Hannah Carver & Wendy Masterton & Hazel Booth & Lee Ball & Helen Murdoch & Danilo Falzon & Bernie M. Pauly & Catriona Matheson, 2021. "Exploring the Potential of Implementing Managed Alcohol Programmes to Reduce Risk of COVID-19 Infection and Transmission, and Wider Harms, for People Experiencing Alcohol Dependency and Homelessness i," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-24, November.
    5. Moschion, Julie & van Ours, Jan C., 2019. "Do childhood experiences of parental separation lead to homelessness?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 211-236.
    6. Andrew Sullivan & Changwe Park, 2022. "Do Federal Grants for Medication-Assisted Opioid Treatment Reduce Homelessness?," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 703(1), pages 285-302, September.
    7. Timothy M. Diette & David C. Ribar, 2018. "A Longitudinal Analysis Of Violence And Housing Insecurity," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 56(3), pages 1602-1621, July.
    8. Bonakdar, Ahmad & Gaetz, Stephen & Banchani, Emmanuel & Schwan, Kaitlin & Kidd, Sean A. & O'Grady, Bill, 2023. "Child protection services and youth experiencing homelessness: Findings of the 2019 national youth homelessness survey in Canada," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    9. Johnson, Guy & Ribar, David C. & Zhu, Anna, 2017. "Women's Homelessness: International Evidence on Causes, Consequences, Coping and Policies," IZA Discussion Papers 10614, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Lianne A. Urada & Melanie J. Nicholls & Stephen R. Faille, 2022. "Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-20, July.
    11. David C. Ribar, 2017. "Early Research Findings from Journeys Home: Longitudinal Study of Factors Affecting Housing Stability," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 50(2), pages 214-219, June.
    12. Anna Sidorchuk & Anna Goodman & Ilona Koupil, 2018. "Social class, social mobility and alcohol-related disorders in Swedish men and women: A study of four generations," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, February.
    13. O'Flaherty, Brendan, 2019. "Homelessness research: A guide for economists (and friends)," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 1-25.

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