1
|
Perkins DD, Sonn CC, Lenzi M, Xu Q, Carolissen R, Portillo N, Serrano-García I. The global development of community psychology as reflected in the American Journal of Community Psychology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 72:302-316. [PMID: 37526574 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
This commentary presents a virtual special issue on the global growth of community psychology (CP), particularly, but not exclusively, as reflected in the American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP). CP exists in at least 50 countries all over the world, in many of those for over 25 years. Yet, aside from several early Israeli articles, AJCP rarely published work from or about countries outside the US and Canada until the early 2000s, when the number of international articles began to rise sharply. The focus of CP developed differently in different continents. CP in Australia and New Zealand initially followed North America's emphasis on improving social service systems, but has since focused more on environmental and indigenous cultural and decolonial issues that are as salient in those countries as in North America, but have drawn much more attention. CP came later to most of Asia, where it also tended to follow the North American path, but starting in Japan, India, and Hong Kong and now in China and elsewhere, it is establishing its own way. The other two global hotspots for CP for over 40 years have been Europe and Latin America. The level and focus of CP in Europe varies in each country, with some focused on applied developmental psychology and/or community services and others advancing critical and liberation psychology. CP in Latin America evolved from social psychology, but like CP in Sub-Saharan Africa, is also more explicitly political due to a history of political oppression, social activism, and the limitations of individualistic psychology to focus on social change, overcoming poverty, and interventions by (not just for) community members. Despite those differences, CP literature over the past 23 years suggests an increasingly common interest in social justice, multinational collaborations, and decoloniality. There is still a need for more truly (bidirectional) cross-cultural, comparative work for mutual learning, sharing of ideas, methods, and intervention practices, and for CP to develop in countries and communities throughout the globe where it could have the greatest impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas D Perkins
- Human & Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - Christopher C Sonn
- Department of Psychology, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michela Lenzi
- Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Qingwen Xu
- Master of Social Work Program, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronelle Carolissen
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Curiale C, Lenzi M, Gaboardi M, Marino C, Ronconi L, Demita S, Cosentino R, Disperati F, Santinello M. Homeless people's recovery in Housing First and Traditional Services: The role of working alliance in Italian housing services. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 51:2758-2773. [PMID: 37209420 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.23055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate whether a working alliance could represent a potential mechanism that explains the effectiveness of housing services in terms of user recovery, comparing the Housing First (HF) model with Traditional Services (TS). This study included 59 homeless service users in Italy (29 = HF; 30 = TS). Recovery was assessed upon entering the study (T0) and after 10 months (T1). Results indicate that participants inserted in HF services were more likely to report stronger working alliances with social service providers at T0 that, in turn, was directly associated with higher levels of users' recovery at the beginning of the study and indirectly (through recovery at T0) with recovery at T1. Implications of the results are discussed with respect to research and practice on homeless services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Curiale
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Lenzi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Marta Gaboardi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Marino
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Lucia Ronconi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Demita
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberta Cosentino
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Disperati
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Massimo Santinello
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tubertini E, Carbone A, Santinello M. Staff Members' Experience of Italian Shelters for LGBTQIA+ Homeless and Runaway People: An Exploratory Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6214. [PMID: 37444062 PMCID: PMC10341461 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some LGBTQIA+ people, after coming out, experience marginalization and homelessness due to rejection and discrimination from their family and community. The increase in support requests led to the creation of LGBTQIA+ temporary shelter homes worldwide. This study aims to explore the functioning and effectiveness of shelters, analyzing the experiences of staff members in Italy. METHODS Focus groups were held with a total of 15 staff members (age range: 32-53) working in three shelters for LGBTQIA+ people. Data were analyzed qualitatively through the grounded theory methodology. RESULTS Data coding showed five final core categories: (1) user characteristics; (2) staff characteristics; (3) community relations; (4) activities carried out by services; (5) criteria for intervention assessment and staff satisfaction. Results revealed some criticalities in the effectiveness of these services, particularly the difficulty in achieving autonomy for users, a weakness attributable to the non-exhaustive training of staff members and the funding discontinuity. CONCLUSION To improve the efficacy of shelters, this study emphasizes the necessity to (a) carry out an analysis of the vulnerability of the local LGBTQIA+ community, (b) establish a stable network with local services (NHS system), and (c) implement staff members' psychological training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tubertini
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy; (E.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Agostino Carbone
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Health Policy–The London School of Economics and Political Sciences, CPEC–Care Policy and Evaluation Center, St Clement’s Ln, London WC2A 2HD, UK
| | - Massimo Santinello
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy; (E.T.); (M.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Marshall CA, Phillips B, Holmes J, Todd E, Hill R, Panter G, Easton C, Landry T, Collins S, Greening T, O'Brien A, Jastak M, Ridge R, Goldszmidt R, Shanoff C, Laliberte Rudman D, Carlsson A, Aryobi S, Perez S, Oudshoorn A. 'We stick people in a house and say okay, you're housed. The problem is solved': A qualitative study of service provider and organisational leader perspectives on thriving following homelessness. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e6018-e6029. [PMID: 36128972 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.14035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Research aimed at identifying and evaluating approaches to homelessness has predominately focused on strategies for supporting tenancy sustainment. Fewer studies focus on strategies for enabling thriving following homelessness, and the perspectives of service providers and organisational leaders (SPOL) on this topic are rare. We conducted this study in the context of a community-based participatory research project in two cities in Ontario, Canada. This research was aimed at identifying the strengths and challenges of existing supports in enabling thriving following homelessness, followed by co-designing a novel intervention alongside persons with lived experience of homelessness (PWLEH) and SPOL. The current study presents the findings of interviews conducted in 2020-2021 with SPOL in organisations serving PWLEH. We interviewed 60 individuals including service providers (n = 38; 63.3%) and organisational leaders (n = 22; 36.7%) using semi-structured qualitative interviews. Interviews were conducted and recorded on Zoom to align with physical distancing protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed abductively informed by the lenses of social justice and health equity. The essence of our findings is represented by a quote from a research participant: 'We stick people in a house and say okay, you're housed. The problem is solved'. This essence was expressed through five themes: (1) stuck in a system that prevents thriving, (2) substance use as an important coping strategy that prevents tenancy sustainment and thriving, (3) the critical importance of targeting community integration following homelessness, (4) incorporating peer expertise as imperative and (5) people need to be afforded options in selecting housing and services following homelessness. Our findings indicate that SPOL envision possibilities of thriving following homelessness yet are embedded within a system that often prevents them from supporting individuals who are leaving homelessness to do so. Research, practice and policy implications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Anne Marshall
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brooke Phillips
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julia Holmes
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric Todd
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - River Hill
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - George Panter
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Corinna Easton
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Terry Landry
- Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Collins
- Salvation Army London Centre of Hope, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ashley O'Brien
- HIV and Aids Regional Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marlo Jastak
- Addiction and Mental Health Services Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFLA), Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca Goldszmidt
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chelsea Shanoff
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Suliman Aryobi
- Social Justice in Mental Health Research Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shauna Perez
- Addiction and Mental Health Services Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFLA), Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abe Oudshoorn
- School of Nursing, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gaboardi M, Santinello M, Lenzi M, Disperati F, Ornelas J, Shinn M. Using a modified version of photovoice in a European cross-national study on homelessness. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 70:139-152. [PMID: 35137958 PMCID: PMC9544765 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study proposes an innovative use of a modified version of photovoice for cross-national qualitative research that allows participants to express their ideas, experiences, and emotions about a topic through photographic language. We examine factors affecting social service providers' work on people experiencing homelessness in Europe. We highlight five advantages of using photovoice in cross-national research: visual language, methodological flexibility, participatory data analysis, the bottom-up process, and the promotion of social change. Moreover, we identify key stages of the process: writing a detailed protocol for the implementation and fidelity of the projects, using two levels of data analysis, and disseminating the results. This study provides lessons learned for others who may want to use photovoice in cross-national research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gaboardi
- Department of Developmental and Social PsychologyUniversity of PadovaPaduaItaly
| | - Massimo Santinello
- Department of Developmental and Social PsychologyUniversity of PadovaPaduaItaly
| | - Michela Lenzi
- Department of Developmental and Social PsychologyUniversity of PadovaPaduaItaly
| | - Francesca Disperati
- Department of Developmental and Social PsychologyUniversity of PadovaPaduaItaly
| | - José Ornelas
- APPsyCI—Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities and InclusionISPA‐Instituto UniversitárioLisboaPortugal
| | - Marybeth Shinn
- Department of Human and Organizational DevelopmentPeabody College, Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aykanian A. The effects of COVID-19 on the mental health and job stress of frontline homelessness services workers in Texas (U.S.). HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e2793-e2804. [PMID: 35037348 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists in the U.S. and elsewhere, there is a growing need to understand the impacts of the pandemic on essential and frontline workers. Given the dearth of research on the experiences of homelessness services workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to understand the impact of COVID-related stressors in the workplace on the wellbeing of the homelessness services workers in the state of Texas (U.S.). Using a cross-sectional survey design, the analysis focusses on examining the relationship between COVID stressors with mental health symptoms and job stress indictors. Data were collected from a sample of 132 frontline homelessness services workers across the state during April, May and June of 2021. Primary outcomes of interest were measured with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Multiple linear regression models were specified to explore associations between the outcomes of interest and predictor variables (i.e. demographics, work experiences and COVID-19 stressors). Results showed that perceiving a decline in job satisfaction because of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher stress (β = ++0.18), 95% CI [.13, 6.68], higher burnout (β = 0.32), 95% CI [2.54, 7.30] and lower compassion satisfaction (β = 0.42), 95% CI [-8.14, -3.69]. Additionally, being worried about contracting COVID-19 at work was associated with an increase in burnout (β = 0.19), 95% CI [.40, 4.79]. Also notable is that older age and Black/African American race were associated with lower stress, lower burnout and higher compassion satisfaction. Implications for supporting the homelessness sector through high-quality supervision, useful training, adequate benefits and routine check-ins are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Aykanian
- School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Carver H, Price T, Falzon D, McCulloch P, Parkes T. Stress and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Frontline Homelessness Services Staff Experiences in Scotland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063659. [PMID: 35329345 PMCID: PMC8953212 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Staff working in homelessness services often find the work rewarding yet challenging, and the sector experiences high levels of staff burnout and staff turnover. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff working in these services faced particularly stressful working conditions. This study explored the experiences of stress and wellbeing among those working in frontline homelessness service roles during the early stages of the pandemic in Scotland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, 11 of whom completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Qualitative data were analysed using Framework Analysis in NVivo, informed by the Revised Transactional Model of occupational stress and coping. MBI data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic positively and negatively impacted participants’ lives and roles. Organisational culture acted as a magnifying glass for pre-pandemic practices: for some, the pandemic brought teams and staff closer together, creating a better working environment. For others, it led to fragmentation and frustration. Participants discussed coping strategies and recommendations for the future to protect staff wellbeing. Quantitative data suggested that participants were not experiencing burnout, although some were at heightened risk. Future research should explore the longer-term impact of the pandemic on homelessness service staff outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Carver
- Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (T.P.); (D.F.); (T.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tracey Price
- Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (T.P.); (D.F.); (T.P.)
| | - Danilo Falzon
- Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (T.P.); (D.F.); (T.P.)
| | - Peter McCulloch
- School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HJ, UK;
| | - Tessa Parkes
- Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK; (T.P.); (D.F.); (T.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kerman N, Ecker J, Tiderington E, Gaetz S, Kidd SA. Workplace trauma and chronic stressor exposure among direct service providers working with people experiencing homelessness. J Ment Health 2022; 32:424-433. [PMID: 34983295 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2021.2022629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Service providers working with people experiencing homelessness can be directly and indirectly exposed to trauma and other chronic stressors in their work. The types of individuals that are most at-risk of problematic outcomes from traumatic event exposure are unknown. AIM This study examined exposure to and effects of workplace traumas and stressors among service providers working with people experiencing homelessness in Canada. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was completed by 701 direct service providers working in the homeless service, supportive housing, and harm reduction sectors. Descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression, and double moderation models were used in the analysis. RESULTS Employment in homeless service settings, service provision to single adults, and more time in direct contact with service users were each positively associated with the frequency of exposure to critical events and chronic stressors. Younger age, lived experience of behavioural health problems, more frequent exposure to chronic stressors, and less social support from coworkers were significantly correlated with post-traumatic stress and general psychological distress. Emotional support from supervision moderated the relationship between direct exposure to workplace critical events and post-traumatic stress. CONCLUSIONS More trauma-informed psychosocial supports tailored to the needs of direct service providers working with people experiencing homelessness are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nick Kerman
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - John Ecker
- Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Emmy Tiderington
- School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Stephen Gaetz
- Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sean A Kidd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Das RK, Drolet BC. Surgical equity: Care for persons experiencing homelessness. Am J Surg 2021; 223:1220-1221. [PMID: 34789383 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rishub K Das
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Brian C Drolet
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Biomedical Informatics and Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|