Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40418315›Full record

ArticleDiscover mental health2025

Understanding root causes of homelessness in Marin County, CA and prevention strategies through semi-structured interviews and constant comparative analysis.

Michaela F George, Kelsey M Bas, Joseph A Blakely, Naila I Saghir, Garrett T Siebels, Liliana Valle-Contreras, Sehrish Khan

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Discover mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Michaela F GeorgeGlobal Public Health Department, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA. michaela.george@dominican.edu.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0863-6615
Kelsey M BasGlobal Public Health Department, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9827-5150
Joseph A BlakelyGlobal Public Health Department, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3557-0201
Naila I SaghirGlobal Public Health Department, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9929-3502
Garrett T SiebelsGlobal Public Health Department, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1716-7487
Liliana Valle-ContrerasGlobal Public Health Department, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8831-8344
Sehrish KhanThe Ritter Center, San Rafael, CA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionEven with the increased prevalence of homelessness in the US, there is limited research that investigates circumstances that can lead to homelessness, especially in affluent communities in California. This lack of understanding, even when resources are available, perpetuates the inequities in health and wellbeing statewide, connection to basic necessities, effective prevention strategies, and meaningful policy changes.

methodsThis qualitative analysis consisted of a total of 24, semi-structured interviews conducted in the Spring of 2023 by public health researchers. Participants (18 and older) who were seeking support from a local community partner (the Ritter Center) were interviewed. Interviews consisted of a verbal consent in English and a set of IRB approved questions about the participants life circumstances and background that may have led to homelessness. Transcribed interviews were coded, and several themes emerged.

resultsThematic analysis supports three main themes: lack of resources, mental health struggles and past trauma, and safety and health issues. Lack of resources draws attention for more access to sustainable housing opportunities to prevent homeless in the first place. Struggles with mental health stemmed from extreme childhood trauma including stories of abandonment. Substance use and misuse were reported both before and after experiencing homelessness. Many participants expressed current concerns about their relationship with safety and overall health for many years.

conclusionsCommon themes suggest that there are recurrent circumstances that lead to individuals experiencing homelessness. Understanding the root causes of homelessness can help public health departments, local government and organizations implement upstream interventions to prevent the perpetuation of homelessness.

Indexed as

Community healthHomelessnessIn-depth interviewsMental healthRoot causesThematic analysis

Identifiers

PMID40418315
PMCPMC12106166

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.