Problematic alcohol use history among persons experiencing homelessness in Northwest Arkansas

ABSTRACT

Little research has attempted to simultaneously understand the myriad of social factors that might amplify or mitigate alcohol misuse patterns among persons experiencing homelessness. Using a sample of homeless adults in Northwest Arkansas (n = 168), the current study explores the role of social vulnerabilities, individual risks, and social and psychological resources on a history of self-reported problematic alcohol use. A series of ordinary least squares regressions were used to model relationships between social vulnerabilities, individual risks, social and psychological resources, and a history of problematic alcohol use. Findings support the notion that social vulnerabilities and individual risks were associated with problematic alcohol use histories. In particular, homeless individuals that were older, male, experiencing recent incarceration, and reported suicidal ideation were more likely to report a higher incidence of a history of problematic alcohol use. We find no evidence that social and psychological resources mitigated problematic alcohol use histories. The study partially corroborates prior evidence of demographic and psychosocial factors associated with understanding the history of problematic alcohol use among persons experiencing homelessness. However, these findings differ measurably with regards to social connectedness, mastery, and an expression of spirituality not being associated with problematic alcohol use histories.

KEYWORDS:

• Homelessness
• problematic alcohol use
• risks and resources
• problematic alcohol use history
• Northwest Arkansas

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Reilly Gibson

Reilly Gibson recently completed his M.A. in sociology at the University of Arkansas. His research interests focus on at-risk behaviors of persons experiencing homelessness, particularly drug and alcohol use.

Kevin M. Fitzpatrick

Kevin M. Fitzpatrick is a University professor of sociology at the University of Arkansas. He has published several articles on homelessness with specific focus on issues related to mental and physical health, food insecurity, and at-risk behaviors.

Casey Harris

Casey Harris is an associate professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Arkansas. His work focuses on stratification and crime, community and place, immigration and race/ethnicity, and quantitative methodology.

Michael Niño

Michael Niño is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Arkansas. His current research agenda focuses on integrating theory and methods from the biological and social sciences to advance our understanding of how immigration, race, and incarceration shape population health disparities and health behaviors in the United States.