Psychological research on homelessness: the relation between psychological and external homelessness

Kántor, Árpád and Brózik, Péter and Dúll, Andrea (2019) Psychological research on homelessness: the relation between psychological and external homelessness. Psychologia Hungarica Caroliensis, 7 (3). pp. 80-112. ISSN 2064-2504

Preview

Text EPA02497_psychologia_2019_03_080-112.pdf Download (967kB) | Preview

Abstract

External and psychological aspects of homelessness were investigated based on the Theory of External and Psychological At-Homeness – Homelessness Continuum (Kántor & Dúll, 2018). A structured questionnaire was presented to 181 adult individuals living in different housing conditions. Four groups were identified through cluster analysis: 1) externally and psychologically at-home, 2) externally homeless, psychologically at-home, 3) externally at-home, psychologically homeless, 4) externally and psychologically homeless. Eight variables were used to compare the clusters. The main results: 1) Among those psychologically at-home, the externally homeless are lonelier (t=-1.92, p=0.059) and less happy (t=4.50, P=0.000) than the ones that externally have a home, with higher levels of perceived stress (t=-2.07, p=0.047), dissatisfaction (t=3.62, p=0.000), hopelessness (t=-2.69, p=0.008) and search for meaning in life (t=-3.14, p=0.002). 2) Among the psychologically homeless, externally at-home are happier than the externally homeless (t=2.26, p=0.027), and exhibit lower levels of perceived stress (t=-2.73, p=0.008). 3) Among the externally at-home people, those psychologically at-home are happier (t=4.19, p=0.000), more satisfied (t=5.16, p=0.000), more hopeful (t=-2.35, p=0.021), with a lower level of perceived stress (t=-2.25, p=0.027) and higher self-efficacy (t=2.01, p=0.048), than the psychologically homeless. 4) Among the externally homeless, those who psychologically feel at-home are happier (t=2.05, p=0.043) and more satisfied (t=2.88, p=0.005) than the psychologically homeless, with lower perceived stress (t=-2, 46, p=0.016). These results suggest that psychological at-homeness can be considered an important protective factor for psychological well-being, which goes hand-in-hand with a number of other qualities that are significant elements of healthy psychological functioning.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item