Homelessness: What is a psychologist to do?
- 1 February 1992
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in American Journal of Community Psychology
- Vol. 20 (1) , 1-24
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00942179
Abstract
Contrasts person-centered and structural explanations for homelessness. Methodological problems in studies of homeless people tend to exaggerate the role of individual deficits as causes of homelessness. A review of data on the distribution of poverty and of inadequate and unaffordable housing, with special emphasis on families, suggests the importance of structural causes. Data from 700 families requesting shelter and 524 families randomly drawn from the public assistance case load in New York City provide more support for a structural than for an individual deficit model. Individual demographic factors are also important. Implications are drawn for research and action by psychologists.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- The relationship between social support and family homelessness: A comparison study of homeless and housed mothersJournal of Community Psychology, 1991
- Social network utilization as related to family history among the homelessJournal of Community Psychology, 1991
- Disaffiliation to Entrenchment: A Model for Understanding HomelessnessJournal of Social Issues, 1990
- Social Policy and Social Science Research on HomelessnessJournal of Social Issues, 1990
- Research on Homelessness: An IntroductionJournal of Social Issues, 1990
- Public Shelter as “a Hybrid Institution”: Homeless Men in Historical PerspectiveJournal of Social Issues, 1990
- Pathways to Homelessness Among New York City FamiliesJournal of Social Issues, 1990
- Community Integration and Well‐Being: Toward the Goals of Community CareJournal of Social Issues, 1989
- Pregnancy and Childbirth: Risk Factors for Homelessness?Family Planning Perspectives, 1989
- Pubertal timing and grade effects on adjustmentJournal of Youth and Adolescence, 1985