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When social support fails: The homeless
Author(s) -
Solarz Andrea,
Bogat G. Anne
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(199001)18:1<79::aid-jcop2290180112>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - social support , psychology , psychological intervention , population , cluster (spacecraft) , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , demography , sociology , computer science , programming language
Abstract The social support networks of residents of a temporary shelter for the homeless were examined. Participants (N = 125) were interviewed to obtain detailed information concerning resources of support, specific types of support, and subjective appraisals of support. Seven meaningful subgroups of homeless persons were identified using a cluster analysis technique. These groups varied along the dimensions of transiency, psychiatric history, criminal victimization, and criminal activity. As expected, this population had relatively small social networks, although most clearly had some sources of support, particularly from family members. Few differences on social support variables were revealed between subgroups. The differences between the homeless and other nonclinical populations are discussed, and implications for interventions are addressed.