CUMULATIVE ADVERSITY AMONG OLDER HOMELESS AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: PROGRAM IMPLICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

摘要

The cumulative experience of stress from the intersection of racism and sexism accelerates aging and puts African-American women at a greater risk for the early onset of chronic disease, a risk that is exacerbated for older African-American women who are homeless. The service implications of this intersection have yet to be addressed. Using in-depth interviews, we explored the life histories of 31 older homeless adults aged 50–69 residing in emergency shelters. Intergenerational victimization, institutional discrimination, and community violence were disproportionally represented in the life histories of older African-American homeless women. These traumatic experiences, along with a felt need to protect their children, reduced trust and triggered social isolation. Opening to others with similar lived experiences was described as “therapeutic” by these women. To reduce blame, enhance empowerment, and address complex health conditions, these life histories suggest the necessity for trauma-informed services and the structural competency of service providers.