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In January 2022, 582,462 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. on a single night, according to a report from the. Young homeless mothers are particularly vulnerable as they struggle to meet their basic needs and those of their children. They may also suffer from substance use disorders and physical and mental health problems. 

One 5X���� researcher is working to understand how support services and housing can help single mothers avoid these situations.

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Jing Zhang, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, has been conducting research to test the efficacy of a housing intervention in limiting substance use among young mothers experiencing homelessness.

Zhang’s research has discovered that some people have early life experiences that may place them at the risk of behaviors such as substance abuse that leads to economic disadvantages.

“My research focuses on contextual factors associated with people's health and behavioral outcomes,” Zhang said. “Specifically how you can prevent or intervene in some of their risky behaviors.” 

The findings of Zhang’s research, recently published in the peer-reviewed , have revealed how supportive services could impact the developmental trajectory of those who participated in the trials in a positive way.

Zhang’s research was used as part of a trial that demonstrated that mothers showed significant improvement in reduced substance use and increased self-sufficiency over time when given proper supportive services. 

Part of her research showed how mothers who received housing plus supporting services, such as HIV prevention and counseling, act more self-sufficiently, develop confidence in their ability to address the daily hassles of life and prevent an increase in substance abuse. 

After receiving her Ph.D. in human development and family sciences from Virginia Tech, Zhang became involved with the trial. Zhang worked on the trial as a senior research assistant at Ohio State University for the Department of Human Sciences.  

“It has been a couple of years of researching and working on this trial,” Zhang said. “My team and I had multiple projects going on at the same time so we had to be flexible.”

The trial was led by Natasha Slesnick, Ph.D., at Ohio State. 

“I really want my research to help people achieve optimal developmental outcomes,” Zhang said. “I think people have a lot of strengths and positive characteristics but sometimes they need a “startup” help to get back on the right track.”

For more information about the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, visit www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes.

For more information about the trial and its results, visit .