@article{ref1,
title="Mental health problems in young people with experiences of homelessness and the relationship with health service use: a follow-up study",
journal="Evidence-based mental health",
year="2014",
author="Hodgson, Kate J. and Shelton, Katherine H. and van den Bree, Marianne B. M.",
volume="17",
number="3",
pages="76-80",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Homeless young people represent one of the most vulnerable and underserved populations. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorder and comorbidity among a UK sample, and examine the longitudinal relationship between psychiatric conditions and different types of health service use. <br><br>METHODS: 90 young people with experiences of homelessness were interviewed using a full psychiatric assessment. Participants were followed up 8-12 months later and completed an interview that included information about recent health service use (mental health, emergency room, general practitioner, hospital for physical problems, drug or alcohol services). <br><br>FINDINGS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorder (88% current; 93% lifetime) and psychiatric comorbidity (73%) was high and that of mental health service use low in comparison (31%). Mood disorders, psychosis and suicide risk were significantly associated with mental health service use (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.64 to 16.58; OR 10.0, CI 1.58 to 94.58; OR 6.25, CI 1.82 to 21.43, respectively). Emergency department use was predicted by mood disorders (OR 5.19, CI 1.68 to 16.0), psychosis (OR 7.33, CI 1.24 to 43.29), anxiety disorder (OR 2.88, CI 1.04 to 7.97), high-suicide risk (OR 3.42, CI 1.86 to 13.67) and comorbidity (OR 1.41, CI 1.05 to 1.90). <br><br>DISCUSSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in homeless young people was high and considerably higher than that reported for this age group in the general population. There is a need for improved uptake of services delivering longer term treatment of psychiatric problems among vulnerable groups of socially excluded young people.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1362-0347",
doi="10.1136/eb-2014-101810",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/eb-2014-101810"
}