Correlates of Problem Drinking Among Homeless Men

Abstract

Multiple regression analysis was used to identify correlates of problem drinking among 165 homeless men in St. Louis, Missouri. Variables that were the strongest predictors of alcoholism included number of stressful events before becoming homeless, age, current life satisfaction, psychopathology, and prior mental hospitalization. The full-scale model predicting problem drinking produced a total explained variance (R2) of .38. In contrast with findings from previous research on the homeless, the length of time homeless and the degree of transience were not predictive of alcoholism. Similarly, social support had no impact on problem drinking.