An 8 page research paper that examines literature focusing on a segment of the homeless population whose needs have been under-addressed by research, the homeless, mentally ill Mexican American woman. As research on this demographic group is limited, it is necessary to investigate what is known about the various facets of this description. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_khmexamh.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
and Salomon, 2003). In order to address the needs of the homeless, therefore, their "special characteristics and needs must be identified (and) respected" (Rosenheck, Bassuk and Salomon, 2003). The following
examination of literature focuses on a segment of the homeless population whose needs have been under-addressed by research, the homeless, mentally ill Mexican American woman. As research on this demographic
group is limited, it is necessary to investigate what is known about the various facets of this description. Homelessness and women Homelessness is a social problem of enormous proportions,
as it has been estimated that between 2 and 3 million people are homeless at any given time (Caton, et al, 2005). Beginning in the 1980s, there has been a
trend toward women making up an increasingly larger proportion of the homeless population and women currently represent one-fifth of the nations homeless population (Rosenheck, Bassuk and Salomon, 2003). There are
increases in the number of homeless mothers, as well as homeless single women, many of whom may have children, but the children do not reside in homeless shelters with them
(Rosenheck, Bassuk and Salomon, 2003). This trend reflects the "feminization of poverty," as poor women have "limited earning power, job skills, and education," and are frequently overwhelmed by the responsibilities
of child care (Rosenheck, Bassuk and Salomon, 2003). Homeless women and men are more likely to have a history of mental illness that includes hospitalization and attempts at suicide. Some
studies estimate that 90 percent of homeless people are suffering from mental illness, "including many with severe illnesses such as schizophrenia and other psychoses" (Rosenheck, Bassuk and Salomon, 2003). As
a group, the homeless also demonstrate a high tendency towards substance abuse. Alcoholism has been found to be prevalent and concomitant with mental illness, with about half of those people