# Associations Between Adversity and Psychological Distress and Physiological Stress Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: The Buffering Role of Social Network Processes

> **NIH NIH F31** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $32,428

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) face increased levels of adversity and higher rates of trauma, suicide,
and mortality compared to their housed peers. Adversity is associated with negative long-term psychological
and physiological outcomes including impaired mental health and dysregulated stress systems. However,
protective factors in this population are not well understood. Social network processes are a potentially
modifiable factor that may mitigate negative outcomes associated with adversity and may serve as an avenue
for future intervention. The overarching research goal of this study is to examine different risk profiles of YEH
and their association with psychological distress and physiological stress, and social network processes as
potential protective pathways. The aims will be addressed using a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the
baseline data from the randomized controlled trial, Housing, opportunities, motivation and engagement
(HOME) for homeless youth at-risk for opioid use disorder (#UG3/UH3DA050174, National Institute on Drug
Abuse). The specific aims of the proposed study are to (1) Examine the relationships between adversity
profiles and psychological distress (depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt) and physiological
stress (hair cortisol concentration [HCC]) (2) Examine the relationships between social network processes
(family/friend perceived satisfaction of support received, family/friend prosocial behavior) and psychological
distress and physiological stress and (3) Explore the extent to which social network processes moderate the
relationship between adversity and psychological distress and physiological stress. The baseline data from the
HOME study (N=240) contains information on youth demographics, adversity (childhood physical, sexual, and
emotional abuse, neglect, and street victimization), physiological stress (HCC as a measure of cumulative
stress), and psychological distress (depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt). Latent profile
analysis will be conducted to identify risk profiles of YEH who show differing adversity patterns and regression
analyses will be conducted to address the aims above. This proposal is responsive to the National Institute of
Nursing Research’s research priority of health prevention and promotion through the lens of social
determinants of health and health equity. This pre-doctoral training plan has the following goals: (1) Develop
statistical proficiency. (2) Advance understanding of stress physiology, social network processes, and their
relationship to each other across childhood, adolescence and young/emerging adulthood. (3) Cultivate skills
related to conducting mental health promotion research with historically marginalized populations. (4)
Advance skills for conducting independent research as nurse faculty at a research-intensive academic
institution. The proposed research and training plan will provide the appl...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10897517
- **Project number:** 1F31NR020987-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Margaret M. Fitzpatrick
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $32,428
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-16 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10897517

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10897517, Associations Between Adversity and Psychological Distress and Physiological Stress Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: The Buffering Role of Social Network Processes (1F31NR020987-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10897517. Licensed CC0.

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