Using Facebook for Improving the Psychological Well-Being of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Experimental and Longitudinal Study

Abstract

BackgroundWeb-based social networks are a powerful communicative element and their use is increasingly widespread. Persons living in extreme social exclusion such as individuals experiencing homelessness can benefit from the positive elements of communication and relationship associated with social networking sites.ObjectiveThis study aimed to suggest the comparison of a Facebook training course and an office software course and their effect on psychological well-being in a group of individuals experiencing homelessness.MethodsAn experimental and longitudinal study was designed. Individuals experiencing homelessness were randomly assigned to either the Facebook group or the office software group, and their social skills, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with life were measured on 4 occasions: pretest, at the end of the training course, 1 month later, and 3 months later. A mixed analysis of variance of repeated measures (2×4) was performed.ResultsA total of 92 individuals experiencing homelessness participated in the study. The number of cases in which the 4 measurements were completed was 71 (35 in the intervention group and 36 in the control group). The mixed analysis of variance of repeated measures and the multiple regression analysis indicated a significant increase of the 4 analyzed parameters, with greater significance in the areas of social skills and self-esteem. The critical levels associated to the interaction Time×Program were significant in all variables and levels. Therefore, the scores in the 4 analyzed constructs were not equal according to the program carried out throughout the work. The effect size associated to the interaction Time×Program in the social skills scores was large (η2=0.32); in the self-esteem and self-efficacy scores, it was medium, (η2=0.13); and in the satisfaction with life scores, it was small (η2=0.09). The results of the adjustment of the different models of multiple linear regression indicate that the number of hours devoted weekly to the use of Facebook was a predictor of the increase in the scores of social skills (B=3.43, r2=.405) and self-esteem (B=.382). Age (B=.175) and self-efficacy (B=.09) were also variables, which with independence and in equal conditions, predicted self-esteem (r2=.29). Finally, self-esteem (B=.69) was also a predictor variable of the increase of satisfaction with life (r2=.195).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that Facebook could be a key element in homeless psychological well-being and socialization.

Use of Technology to Promote Health and Wellbeing of People Who Are Homeless: A Systematic Review

“…Social connectedness, evident in five studies, describes the potential of the mobile phone to maintain social connections [ 23 , 26 , 29 , 31 , 34 ]. Adkins et al [ 23 ] found that participants (homeless youth) predominantly used their phone for communication with friends and family via text and calls.…”

Use of Digital Mental Health for Marginalized and Underserved Populations

“…Second, for service providers working with individuals experiencing homelessness requires an appreciation of how to reach them physically and digitally. Common platforms, such as social media, might be a particularly effective way to stay connected, especially among youth populations, and can be an effective tool for introducing interventions [32]. Lastly, although early work has demonstrated that DMH interventions are liked and used, they have failed to establish clinical effectiveness [30••].…”

Social Impact of Psychological Research on Well-Being Shared in Social Media

“…Their starting point was the use of information and communication technologies, more specifically, the use of social networking sites by homeless people, and they used Facebook and four scales measured at different points. The findings of this study indicate that Facebook as an essential element that can improve the psychological well-being and socialization of the homeless (Calvo and Carbonell, 2018). Hussain et al (2019) used four questionnaires and an eyetracking methodology to study social networking site (Facebook) use and its relation to different indicators of well-being (mental well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem).…”

“…Results showed a relation between Facebook addiction and impoverished well-being in terms of impaired general health, decreased sleep quality, or higher perceived stress (Atroszko et al, 2018). Calvo and Carbonell (2018) designed an experimental and longitudinal study aimed at increasing the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness. Their starting point was the use of information and communication technologies, more specifically, the use of social networking sites by homeless people, and they used Facebook and four scales measured at different points.…”