Parent-child relationship outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of housing first for indigenous and non-Indigenous parents experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and separation from their children.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impacts of Housing First (HF) on parent-child relationships for Indigenous and non-Indigenous parents experiencing homelessness and mental illness. METHOD: Data on parent-child relationships were obtained through baseline and 18-month narrative interviews with parents (N = 43). Participants were randomly assigned to HF (N = 27) or treatment as usual (TAU; N = 16). Parent-child relationship changes were coded as positive or no change. Comparisons between HF and TAU groups were examined for Indigenous parents (N = 21) and non-Indigenous parents (N = 22). RESULTS: Parents in HF reported more positive changes, proportionally, in their relationships with their children, when compared with parents in the TAU group. Among Indigenous parents, proportionally more in HF (eight of 13 parents) reported positive changes in their relationships with their children, compared with those in TAU (one of eight parents). For non-Indigenous parents, however, those in HF (five of 14 parents) reported proportionally similar positive changes in relationships with their children to those in TAU (two of eight parents). Narratives of Indigenous parents in HF showed that they made considerable progress over 18 months in reconciling with their children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings underscore the potential of HF to promote positive parent-child relationships. For Indigenous parents, HF programs that are designed, implemented, and staffed by Indigenous service-providers; guided by Indigenous worldviews; and employ culturally relevant and culturally safe practices are exemplars for understanding how HF programs can be adapted to positively impact parent-child relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Indigenous and non-Indigenous parents separated from their children and experiencing homelessness and mental illness in Canada.

The purpose of this study is to examine the parent-child experiences of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers and fathers experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and separation from their children. A qualitative thematic analysis of baseline and 18-month follow-up narrative interviews was used to compare 12 mothers (n = 8 Indigenous and n = 4 nonindigenous) with 24 fathers (n = 13 Indigenous and n = 11 non-Indigenous). First, it was found that children are more central in the lives of mothers than fathers. Second, Indigenous parents' narratives were characterized by interpersonal and systemic violence, racism and trauma, and cultural disconnection, but also more cultural healing resources. Third, an intersectional analysis showed that children were peripheral in the lives of non-Indigenous fathers, and most central to the identities of Indigenous mothers. Gender identity, Indigenous, and intersectional theories are used to interpret the findings. Implications for future theory, research, and culturally relevant intervention are discussed.