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The montefiore community children's project: A controlled study of cognitive and emotional problems of homeless mothers and children

Journal of Urban Health volume 76, pages 39–50 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

This study compares the prevalence of emotional, academic, and cognitive impairment in children and mothers living in the community with those living in shelters for the homeless.

Method

In New York City, 82 homeless mothers and their 102 children, aged 6 to 11, recruited from family shelters were compared to 115 nonhomeless mothers with 176 children recruited from classmates of the homeless children. Assessments included standardized tests and interviews.

Results

Mothers in shelters for the homeless showed higher rates of depression and anxiety than did nonhomeless mothers. Boys in homeless shelters showed higher rates of serious emotional and behavioral problems. Both boys and girls in homeless shelters showed more academic problems than did nonhomeless children.

Conclusion

Study findings suggest a need among homeless children for special attention to academic problems that are not attributable to intellectual deficits in either children or their mothers. Although high rates of emotional and behavioral problems characterized poor children living in both settings, boys in shelters for the homeless may be particularly in need of professional attention.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA

    Patricia Cohen PhD

  2. Columbia University School of Public Health, Columbia, USA

    Patricia Cohen PhD

  3. New York Flushing Hospital (Cornell Medical College Affiliate), New York, USA

    David Rubin MD

  4. New York Medical College, New York, USA

    Sean D. Cleary PhD, MPH

  5. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia, USA

    Canadace J. Erickson MD

  6. Primary Care Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, 10467, Bronx, NY

    Mutya San Agustin MD

  7. New York City

    Janet K. Allen MA

Authors
  1. Mutya San Agustin MD
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  2. Patricia Cohen PhD
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  3. David Rubin MD
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  4. Sean D. Cleary PhD, MPH
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  5. Canadace J. Erickson MD
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  6. Janet K. Allen MA
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Agustin, M.S., Cohen, P., Rubin, D. et al. The montefiore community children's project: A controlled study of cognitive and emotional problems of homeless mothers and children. J Urban Health 76, 39–50 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02344460

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02344460

Keywords

  • Public Health
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Standardize Test
  • York City
  • Behavioral Problem