Role of stressful life events in homelessness in Nicaragua: an intragroup analysis in a low-income country

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to analyse the stressful life events (SLEs) suffered by 62 people living homeless (32 men; 30 women) in Nicaragua, and how the different SLEs are related to patterns and trajectories in homelessness. The sample was classified based on SLEs, and the relationship between the resulting subgroups and sociodemographic characteristics, homelessness trajectories, health, substances consumption, social support, and outlook for the future was examined. Results suggest that a three-cluster solution was theoretically and structurally meaningful: (a) Cluster A was mainly characterized by a higher prevalence of SLEs and problems in the family from an early age, consisting of young people consuming substances, primarily drinking alcohol and sniffing glue; (b) Cluster B was characterized by low levels of SLEs, but with alcohol problems; and (c) Cluster C was characterized by a high number of violent SLEs from an early age, made up of people an older age group, who have been living homeless for longer and in suffering from poor health. Increased knowledge about the different subgroups and trajectories of people living homeless in Nicaragua can help with the design of public policy, intervention programs and social care tools that are sensitive to these differences.