Social Science and Medicine
Volume 31, Issue 5, 1990, Pages 537-544

Sociodemographic and health factors in the well-being of homeless men in Sydney, Australia (Article)

Darnton-Hill I.* , Mandryk J.A. , Mock P.A. , Lewis J. , Kerr C.B.
  • a School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (Department of Public Health), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
  • b School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (Department of Public Health), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
  • c School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (Department of Public Health), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
  • d Haymarket Foundation Clinic for the Homeless, East Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • e School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (Department of Public Health), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Abstract

Throughout the world, homelessness is generally increasing. This paper examines some of the historical precedents and, in an Australian sample, some of the factors leading to ill-health in this group. All studies have shown the ill-effects on health of being homeless and in this group drinking alcohol and length of time on skidrow appear to be the major factors. It is also suggested that the homeless are generally from comparatively disadvantaged backgrounds before becoming homeless, and more likely to be migrants. They were also less likely to have ever married and more likely to have been in jail or psychiatric institutions. © 1990.

Author Keywords

disadvantage Australia Homelessness health factors

Index Keywords

Life Style Australia psychological aspect demography human wellbeing Health Behavior health status alcoholism psychosocial environment attitude male Socioeconomic Factors theoretical study New South Wales Article Support, Non-U.S. Gov't adult migration Homeless Persons homelessness Middle Age
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0025063504&doi=10.1016%2f0277-9536%2890%2990088-A&partnerID=40&md5=ae99b22511b53a87023d991317024c28
DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(90)90088-A
ISSN: 02779536
Cited by: 11
Original Language: English