Enhancing Well‐being of Homeless Individuals by Building Group Memberships

Abstract

There is growing recognition that social isolation and a lack of connectedness with social groups is one of the reasons why the subjective well-being of homeless individuals is generally worse than the rest of the population. Past research amongst a range of populations suggests that the ability of an individual to take on new group memberships and/or their ability to maintain their memberships in meaningful groups is an important predictor of well-being. In a mixed method study (N = 119), we examined the extent to which experiences at homeless accommodation form building blocks for the formation of multiple group memberships and to what extent this predicts positive well-being. Qualitative analysis reveals the importance of feeling connected to the homeless service and supported by homeless accommodation staff. Linking these data to quantitative data from a second wave, we found that these experiences predicted well-being. These findings provide further support for a strength-based approach to homelessness, by providing insights into the ways that experiences at homeless accommodation can contribute to the development of multiple group memberships (i.e. social capital), and enhance the well-being of those experiencing, and exiting, homelessness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 Key words: homelessness; well-being; multiple identities; social capital Homelessness is a significant and worldwide problem. Those experiencing homelessness demonstrate lower levels of well-being and poorer mental health than the general population, and may be at great risk of losing social connections at the point of becoming homeless (Biswas-Diener & Diener, 2006;Fischer, Shapiro, Breakey, Anthony, & Kramer, 1986). Research has consistently demonstrated that poverty, substance abuse, poor mental health, and past instances of trauma or abuse constitute significant risk factors or pathways into homelessness (Fitzpatrick, Bramley, & Johnsen, 2013;Shelton, Taylor, Bonner, & van den Bree, 2009). Notwithstanding the importance of this research, the focus on risk factors and problems has also led to neglect of the strengths and resources of people who are homeless. This is unfortunate because an empirically based understanding of such strengths and resources is important to shed light on opportunities for effective interventions (Biswas-Diener & Diener, 2006). Consistent with this recognition, recently, the focus has moved towards understanding pathways out of homelessness and prioritizing the well-being of those who have experienced homelessness (Clapham, 2010;Mayock, O'Sullivan, & Corr, 2011). In particular, Biswas-Diener and Diener (2006) found that good social relationships amongst homeless individuals contribute to well-being, averting some of the negative effects of being homeless. This finding is also consistent with a mounting body of evidence showing that effective social support through social connectedness may enhance health and wellbeing (Cohen & Wills, 1985;Jetten, Haslam, Haslam, Dingle, & Jones,...

Transitions through homelessness: the impact of psychosocial factors on well-being and outcomes in a homeless sample

“…In particular, service characteristics may contribute to whether the service staff and service users are seen as a positive identity or whether they represent a group to dissociate from (e.g. see Johnstone et al, 2016). These findings are consistent with previous research that examined the intersection between geography and homeless service provision.…”

“…Previous research has demonstrated that higher identification was associated with increased feelings of shared experiences, emotional support and understanding, and decreased social isolation and social isolation schemas Dingle et al, 2013;Johnstone et al, 2016). Subsequently, higher identification was associated with increased social interaction and social connectedness in general and this was theorised to form a scaffolding that facilitates the joining of new groups Dingle et al, 2013;Johnstone et al, 2016).…”

“…Defining the individual as 'homeless' reiterates their loss, disadvantage, and social exclusion and overshadows the strengths and resilience of people who are homeless. Clearly, this would be at odds with calls to take a strengths based approach to understanding the experience of homelessness (Biswas-Diener & Diener, 2006;Hodgetts, Stolte, & Groot, 2014;Johnstone et al, 2016;Somerville, 2013). Consequently, future life aspirations seems a natural variable to examine.…”

“…Homeless services differ in important ways, such as mode of service delivery, structural environment of the service, and client-type, may play important roles in structuring experiences of residents and subsequently whether a service is a positive shared group membership, or a group with which one wishes to disengage from (e.g. see Johnstone et al, 2016). The current study aims to examine specifically how various aspects of the service environment relate to identification with service staff and other residents.…”

“…However, identifying with residents was associated with another positive outcome: joining new groups. Research into the importance of group memberships has unearthed a range of benefits of belonging to multiple groups, such as wellbeing, support, self-esteem (C. Haslam et al, 2008;Iyer et al, 2009;Johnstone et al, 2016;Jones & Jetten, 2010 found that having a shared sense of identity with other choir singers was associated with extended social contact beyond the choir context . Further, this positive social contact was correlated with increased social confidence and subsequent social interactions outside the choir .…”