Sara Semborski
Researcher
Dr. Sara Semborski is a Researcher at Chapin Hall, where she assesses programs and policies designed to address disparities among young people experiencing homelessness. She is passionate about using a variety of quantitative and mixed methods to translate research into advocacy and action to improve outcomes of young people who have experienced a disproportionate amount of adversity. Currently, Semborski is focused on assessing the evidence of direct cash transfers as a housing intervention for young adults.
Prior to joining Chapin Hall, Semborski was a doctoral student at the University of Southern California in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She also served as a telehealth mental health therapist for college students. Before pursuing her doctorate, Semborski obtained her clinical license in social work through direct service with both adults and young adults experiencing homelessness. Semborski’s clinical and research experience focused on understanding the socio-environmental contexts associated with the experience of homelessness to promote age-appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Her dissertation, funded by a 2-year Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health, utilized Geographic Ecological Momentary Assessment (GEMA), an innovative, momentary sampling method complete with location data to examine the social and physical contexts associated with mood and emotional regulation among young adults who have experienced homelessness. To fulfill her aims, Semborski used an array of methods, including advanced quantitative methods to model intensive longitudinal data, social network analysis, and spatial analysis.
Semborski holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Southern California and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. She received her Master of Social Work from Temple University and Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Eastern University.
PhD in Social Work, University of Southern California
Master of Social Work, Temple University
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Eastern University
Ngu, T. P., & Semborski, S. (2026). From instability to recovery: Mapping youth housing trajectories with life history calendar. Journal of Community Psychology, 54, e70102. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.70102
Henwood, B. F., Semborski, S., Pitts, D., Schepens Niemiec, S. L., Yay, O., Paone, D. L., & Szanton, S. L. (2023). A randomized controlled trial of CAPABLE in permanent supportive housing. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. doi:10.1111/jgs.18235.
Semborski, S., Rhoades, H., Rice, E., & Henwood, B. F. (2023). Validation of interaction-based egocentric elicitation using ecological momentary assessment with young adults currently or formerly homeless. Social Networks, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2023.01.002.
Semborski, S., Petry, L., & Henwood, B. F. (2022). A comparative analysis of Transitional and Permanent Supportive Housing through the lens of young adult residents. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-022-00881-1.
Dzubur, E., Semborski, S., Redline, B., Hedeker, D., Dunton, G. F., & Henwood, B. F. (2022). Food insecurity and the effects of hunger on variability of stress among young adults who have experienced homelessness. Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12606.
DiGuiseppi, G. T., Semborski, S., Rhoades, H., Goldbach, J. T, & Henwood, B. F. (2022). Perceived safety in community and service settings among young adults experiencing homelessness: Differences by sexual and gender identity. American Journal of Community Psychology, 70(3-4), 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12606.
Semborski, S., Madden. D., Henwood, B. F., & Rhoades, H. (2022). Health care needs of young adults who have experienced homelessness. Medical Care, 10-1097. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001741.
Semborski, S., Henwood, B. F., Dzubur, E., Redline, B., Mason, T., & Intille, S. S. (2022). Mixed-methods study of the feasibility and acceptability of ecological momentary assessment with young adults who are currently or formerly homeless. JMIR Formative Research, 6(3): e33387. doi:10.2196/33387.
Semborski, S., Madden, D. R., Dzubur, E., Redline, B., Rhoades, H., & Henwood, B. F. (2022). The effect of momentary affect on substance use among young adults who experience homelessness. Substance Use & Misuse, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1995756.
Semborski, S., Rhoades, H., Madden, D. R., & Henwood, B. F. (2021). Factors associated with contraceptive use among currently and formerly homeless young adults: Does housing matter? Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2021.10065
Semborski, S., Redline, B., Madden, D. R., Granger, T., & Henwood, B. F. (2021). Housing interventions for emerging adults experiencing homelessness: A scoping review. Children and Youth Services Review, 127, 106081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106081
Semborski, S., Henwood, B. F., Rhoades, H., Mason, T., Wenzel, S., & Rice, E. (2021). Construct, concurrent, and real-world predictive validity of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DERS-18) among young adults with history of homelessness. Psychological Assessment, 33(5), 385–394. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000991
Semborski, S., Srivastava, A., Rhoades, H., Fulginiti, A., & Goldbach, J. (2021). Burden, belonging, and homelessness: Disclosure and social network differences among LGBTQ youth recruited from a suicide crisis service provider. Journal of Homosexuality, 69(5), 894–910. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2021.1898801
Semborski, S., Redline, B., & Henwood, B. F. (2020). Provider perspectives of housing programs for young adults experiencing homelessness. Children and Youth Services Review, 112, 104898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104898