WIP 85 - Are Positive Childhood Experiences Protective Against Housing Insecurity in Adulthood?

Poster Number: WIP 85
Publication Number: WIP 85.886

Background: Housing insecurity is a powerful social determinant of health, often influenced by childhood experiences. Although it is well-established that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a strong risk factor for later housing insecurity, it remains unknown whether positive childhood experiences (PCEs) mitigate risk of adult housing insecurity. By understanding the relationships among PCEs, ACEs, and housing insecurity, we might identify upstream interventions to jointly reduce housing insecurity and improve population health.

Objective: Test associations between PCEs, ACEs, and adult housing insecurity.

Design/Methods: This cross-sectional study uses the 2021-2022 data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Our sample includes a weighted sample of adult participants who responded to PCE questions (N=45,916). The predictor variable of PCE score is constructed as a sum of seven affirmative responses, reporting the PCE occurring most or all the time, and grouped into standard categories. The outcome variable is current housing insecurity, a dichotomous indicator of whether a respondent responded affirmatively to one or more questions regarding: life adjustments to pay for housing the past three years; feelings of experiencing housing insecurity; and worries about making housing payments. A Cronbach’s alpha will be used to check for internal consistency of this variable. The study will control for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and childhood financial hardship. Multivariable logistic regression will determine the association between PCEs and housing insecurity, with and without controlling for ACE score. An interaction term will be added to the model to test if the relationship between PCEs and housing insecurity is moderated by ACEs. Analysis will be completed from 10/2023-2/2024. No IRB required given use of de-identified, publicly available data.