Stressful Life Events among Women Living Homeless in Argentina

Abstract

This paper analyses the types, timing and perceived causality of SLEs experienced during childhood and adolescence and throughout the lives of women experiencing homelessness in Buenos Aires (n = 72). A structured interview was used to collect the information. Findings showed that interviewees had experienced a high number of SLEs during their childhood and adolescence. These SLEs were qualitatively severe and experienced from very early ages. Interviewees had also suffered from a large number of SLEs throughout their lives, mainly before becoming homeless. Interviewees attributed their homelessness largely to their experience with SLEs in their family environment, primarily during their childhood.