Homeless mothers in rural Ohio communities: Investigating issues of child custody

Recent studies indicate that women and children are the fastest growing cohort of homeless people in the United States. A study completed for the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that adults with children are the fastest growing cohort of homeless people in the United States (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2002b). These families are more likely to be female headed than male headed, or married couple headed (Anderson & Rayens, 2004).;Much of this research has focused on the needs of the urban homeless mother and her children. Little attention has been focused on differences between rural and urban homeless families.;This study utilized a non-experimental cross-sectional survey design to explore several issues that are hypothesized to affect the legal or physical custody status of rural homeless mothers in five counties within Ohio. An availability sample of custodial and non-custodial homeless mothers, with at least one child under the age of 18, and who had requested and/or were receiving services from one of six agencies within five rural Ohio counties, participated in the research.;One hundred and sixty homeless mothers living in one of five rural counties in Ohio participated in the study. Findings reveal that psychiatric distress at the time of the interview, previous inpatient treatment for psychiatric concerns, substance dependence, social support, and income play important roles in predicting custody status of homeless women in rural communities.;The research did not find a significant relationship between service availability within the counties, or service utilization, and either the legal or physical custody for homeless women living in the rural communities.;These findings provide policy makers with an enriched understanding of the issues that effect this vulnerable population. With better understanding, social workers, and legislators can work together to assist these women in ways that will truly strengthen their ability to care for their children.