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Public knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about homeless people: Evidence for compassion fatigue?
Author(s) -
Link Bruce G.,
Schwartz Sharon,
Moore Robert,
Phelan Jo,
Struening Elmer,
Stueve Ann,
Colten Mary Ellen
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/bf02506967
Subject(s) - compassion , public opinion , public health , health psychology , psychology , compassion fatigue , social psychology , public relations , political science , medicine , clinical psychology , nursing , politics , law , burnout
Media reports suggest that the public is becoming impatient with the homeless—that so‐called “compassion fatigue” has gripped the nation. This characterization of public sentiment could have important policy consequences—restrictive measures can be justified by growing public impatience, and progressive housing policies seem infeasible within a hostile climate of opinion. But evidence to support the compassion fatigue notion is anecdotal. We examine the issue by tracking the results of public opinion polls and by reporting detailed evidence from a nationwide random‐digit dial telephone survey ( N =1,507) concerning knowledge attitudes and beliefs about homeless people. To be sure, the public sees homelessness as an undesirable social problem and wants something done about it. However, although the homeless are clearly stigmatized, there is little evidence to suggest that the public has lost compassion and is unwilling to support policies to help homeless people.