Predictors and prevention strategies for homelessness among women veterans

This theoretical study was undertaken to explore the experience of women in the military and to gain an understanding of military women\u27s vulnerability to homelessness and their service needs. A study conducted by Gamache, et al. (2003) established that women veterans did show a higher instance of homelessness than non-veteran women. This study includes an exploration of trauma theory and approaches for treatment of homelessness to develop a better understanding of an effective model to treat homelessness within women veterans. Knowledge about effective treatment of combat trauma and homelessness in male veterans and trauma and homelessness among women is used as a way to gain insight into the multi-faceted issues faced by women veterans at risk for homelessness. The specific needs of the female veterans, especially homeless female veterans, has not been extensively explored or researched. This study uses a combination of the known patterns of experiences and characteristics of homeless women and homeless male veterans from earlier studies to gain a greater understanding of how homeless female veterans may be best served. This study explores the issues presented by homeless female veterans through the established literature of homeless women and women veterans to present suggestions for more effective services. This study offers a direction and suggestions for further research in this field to explore the needs of homeless female veterans and to eventually lower the instance of homelessness among female veterans