'We are always in some form of contact': friendships among homeless drug and alcohol users living in hostels

The role of housing stability in predicting social capital: Exploring social support and psychological integration as mediators for individuals with histories of homelessness and vulnerable housing

Social capital is a collective asset important for individual and population well-being. Individuals who experience homelessness may face barriers in accessing social capital due to health challenges, small social networks, and social exclusion. Data from a 4-year longitudinal study was used to determine if housing stability predicted greater social capital and if this relationship was mediated by social support and psychological integration for a sample of 855 homeless and vulnerably housed participants living in three Canadian cities. Findings showed that housing stability was not associated with trust and linking social capital. However, higher levels of social support and psychological integration had a mediating effect on the association between housing stability and trust and linking social capital. These findings highlight the importance of social support and psychological integration as means of promoting social capital for people who experience homelessness and vulnerable housing. Social interventions for housed individuals with histories of homelessness may be an avenue to foster greater social capital by building relationships with neighbors and connections to community resources and activities.

Perspectives and recommendations of opioid overdose survivors experiencing unsheltered homelessness on housing, overdose, and substance use treatment in Boston, MA

INTRODUCTION

Opioid overdose causes one in four deaths among people experiencing homelessness in Boston, MA. To reduce overdose risks, the experience and perspectives of people experiencing homelessness should be incorporated into housing, overdose prevention, and substance use treatment efforts.

METHODS

In 2021, we conducted qualitative interviews with 59 opioid overdose survivors to inform equitable access to treatment services. In response to policy debate surrounding a public drug scene near a key recruitment site, we conducted a targeted thematic analysis of transcribed interview data from a subset of participants experiencing unsheltered homelessness (n=29) to explore their perspectives and recommendations on housing, overdose prevention, and substance use treatment.

RESULTS

Among 29 participants who identified as non-Hispanic Black (n=10), Hispanic/Latinx (n=10), or as non-Hispanic White (n=9), the median number of self-reported opioid overdoses in the past three months was 2.0 (SD 3.7). Three themes emerged from this targeted analysis: (1) Participants described inadequate housing resources and unwelcoming shelter environments. (2) Participants near a large public drug scene explained how unsheltered homelessness was chaotic, dangerous, and disruptive to recovery goals. (3) Participants provided recommendations for improving housing and addiction treatment systems and including their perspectives in the development of solutions to the intersecting housing and opioid overdose crises.

CONCLUSIONS

The overdose prevention, housing and substance use treatment systems must address the needs of opioid overdose survivors experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Overdose survivors experiencing unsheltered homelessness described a chaotic public drug scene but resorted to residing in nearby encampments because the existing shelter, housing, and addiction treatment systems were unwelcoming, difficult to navigate, or unaffordable. Despite efforts to provide low-threshold housing in Boston, additional low-barrier housing services (i.e., including harm reduction resources and without "sobriety" requirements) could promote the health and safety of people who use drugs and are experiencing homelessness.

Modular Homes as a New Form of Accommodation to Tackle Homelessness: A Case Study From Cambridge, England

In England, provision of temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness has often entailed using traditional construction approaches to deliver housing. However, recent experiments are using modular homes to provide temporary accommodation, accompanied by support services for people experiencing homelessness. Given the early nature of these trials, it is unclear what impacts these modular homes have on their occupants and how these projects in turn impact surrounding residents and businesses. We present a case study of the first modular homes for people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge, England, drawing on longitudinal interviews with the six residents occupying these homes. We found that the physical features of the homes, coupled with wrap-around support services, yielded positive short- and mid-term outcomes for occupants, including improved management of their substance use and money, skills development and readiness for employment, social relations, and a burgeoning sense of community, safety, and security. These positive outcomes have spurred wider interest, including the incorporation of modular homes as alternative temporary accommodation in the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy of Cambridge City Council, alongside a growing research interest in modular homes and other new schemes by the national government. We argue for further empirical studies of the impacts of different modular home projects, including those that admit more diverse resident cohorts and offer different accommodation types to establish a clear methodology for future modular homes projects in England and beyond.

Multi-Dimensional Recovery and Growth Among the Homeless: A Positive Criminology Perspective

The research literature on the recovery and growth processes of the homeless population is limited and lacking-particularly with regard to the recovery and growth potential of that population, and its recovery capital (RC) dynamics. This qualitative study fills the research gap by examining the recovery process on its various manifestations, the formation of RC, the patterns of coping with distress, and the growth processes experienced. Ten semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with participants from a homeless hostel. The results show how a population with low or depleted RC, in a state of extreme distress, and in the throes of a bottom-up experience, succeeds in developing RC on a personal, social, and spiritual level-and through it, also reaching post-crisis growth. This study yields innovative terminology to describe the coping patterns and their development in three stages-economical coping, liminal stage of resources mustering, and resourceful coping-and a model to explain the phenomenon, and re-conceptualize it.

Bridging and Bonding: A Case for Prioritizing Social and Organizational Connectedness in Non-Profit Literacy Programming

The present study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the ways in which non-profit community literacy organizations can benefit individuals and communities in ways that transcend their stated missions. We employed a qualitative research design whereby data were collected via in-depth individual interviews and focus groups with program users (n = 72), staff (n = 11), and program leads (n = 8). Findings revealed that, in addition to supporting traditionally defined notions of literacy, programs presented participants with opportunities to cultivate bridging and bonding social capital. By way of the conditions created and programmatic measures employed within programs, bridging social capital often strengthened into deeper bonding ties between and amongst service users and, in many cases, staff and volunteers. Administrators and staff described efforts to create program cultures conducive to the development of social capital. The research illuminates how non-profit community entities can empower individual service users and their communities beyond their stated missions by fostering social and organizational connectedness, promoting communal cohesion and social trust, and cultivating typically unacknowledged talents, strengths and assets within marginalized communities.

Supporting carers in online role-diverse communities: A case study in Australia

This study aims to understand the effects that role-diverse online communities have on informal carers, particularly in providing support. Australian Facebook communities used to support those involved in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) were explored. Social network analysis of an NDIS-centred community was conducted, based on 909 publicly visible interactions that occurred in May-June and August-September 2019. Two managers of informal NDIS communities were interviewed, the transcripts of which were analysed using NVivo. Results from the two analyses suggest that both an individual carer's attributes and the collective attributes of the network defined the capability of the network to support the carer, often depending on the experiences and expertise of those offering support. Support was unconstrained by role, though differing goals and expectations often impeded collaboration between roles. The outcomes of support provision were shown to affect not only individuals but also the collective network. However, while effective, community spaces currently lack organisational backing and resources available to informal communities are constrained. Findings drawn from this study, which we believe are applicable to a broader, international context, are three-fold. Firstly, it is recommended that informal support communities clearly define purpose and create multiple channels to ensure that all participants can meet their needs. Secondly, the benefits of participation to organisations should be further explored. Finally, the use of social network analysis as a method in this study has provided significant insights into the communication patterns and activities of the community under study. Future use of SNA in similar studies may provide further insight into the effectiveness and interactions of community-based support methods.

Substance use and homelessness: A longitudinal interview study conducted during COVID-19 with implications for policy and practice

BACKGROUND

People who are homeless and using substances frequently encounter barriers to accessing support. This paper aims to inform policy and practice by analysing changes in the tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use of people experiencing homelessness.

METHODS

Data derive from a qualitative longitudinal study (undertaken 2020/2021) and involving telephone interviews (n = 310) conducted with 34 people accommodated in two London hotels provided as part of a UK policy response to COVID-19. The hotels offered various supports, including opioid replacement therapy, prescribed alcohol, licensed nicotine replacement therapy, and e-cigarettes. Participants' substance use data were organised by Iterative Categorization and subjected to a content analysis to identify patterns and themes..

RESULTS

At entry to the hotel, 5/34 participants (14.7%) had never used alcohol nor illicit drugs; 10/34 (29.4%) had only ever used alcohol (mostly without a problem); 11/34 (32.4%) had ever used illicit drugs but without a problem; and 8/34 (23.5%) had ever had a problem with illicit drugs. Sub-groups had different socio-demographic characteristics, particularly regarding being/not being a UK national, sex, and homelessness duration. Tobacco smoking was common across all sub-groups (18/34; 52.9%). Participants were often anxious about living with others who were using substances, and some worried about their own substance use. Substance use was changeable, with more decreases than increases. Changes related to intrapersonal (psychological), interpersonal (social) and structural (resource-based) factors. For example, decreases were precipitated by people feeling motivated to change, separation from others who used drugs, and receiving treatment or support.

CONCLUSION

Findings indicate that various interventions and accommodation models may benefit people who are homeless and using substances. An initiative that combined shelter and basic amenities, pharmacological treatment, psychosocial support, and space where substances were not available and other people using substances could be avoided resulted in an overall reduction in substance use amongst those accommodated.

The perspective of homeless space in the railway stations of India: A critical understanding through inter-personal network analysis

There is a global recognition that the homeless in different clusters are isolated social groups. They are highly susceptible to loneliness and related psycho-physical health outcomes owing to their less supportive and fragmented social networks. The conditions are worse in the case of chronic or lifetime homelessness. Beyond this popular notion, other critical perspectives are also there. This paper attempts to analyse the differences in inter-personal social networks between the chronic and the non-chronic homeless groups at a railway junction in India. The data have been collected through structured and semi-structured questionnaires from 28 homeless people (15 chronically and 13 non-chronically homeless) of Burdwan Railway Junction - a vital railway junction of West Bengal, India. The chronically homeless group displays more supportive and compact inter-personal networks in this study than the non-chronic homeless group. Living in the station area for a long time, they have formed a society of their own. Barring some psychological stress and social abuse, the livelihood scenario of these people is relatively stress-free and social networks relations are more intensive and supportive. Considering the outcomes, instead of the housing-first approach of rehabilitation, we favour the development of community shelters with minimum basic amenities close to their present location.

The problem of over-medicalisation: How AOD disease models perpetuate inequity for young people with multiple disadvantage

Young people who experience multiple disadvantage have been identified as some of the most marginalised and under-serviced people in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) system. In this paper, we draw on a range of research evidence to argue that one of the challenges in responding appropriately to the needs of these young people are models of care which seek to ameliorate 'illness' rather than promote wellness. While disease approaches have some important benefits, overly-medicalised AOD treatment responses also have negative impacts. We argue that disease models rest on understandings of substance use as an individual enterprise and thereby pay insufficient attention to the material disadvantage that shape young people's substance use, creating feelings of shame, failure and a reluctance to return to care if they continue to use. Additionally we draw on literature that shows how disease models construe young people's substance use as compulsive, perpetuating deficit views of them as irrational and failing to account for the specific meanings that young people themselves give to their substance use. By focusing on clinical solutions rather than material and relational ones, medicalised treatment responses perpetuate inequity: they benefit young people whose resources and normative values align with the treatments offered by disease models, but are much less helpful to those who are under-resourced,. We suggest that alternative approaches can be found in First Nations models of care and youth programs that attend to social, cultural, and material wellbeing, making living well the focus of treatment rather than illness amelioration.

How Do Specific Social Supports (Family, Friend, and Specialist) Reduce Stress in Patients With Substance Use Disorders: A Multiple Mediation Analysis

Perceived social support has been found to reduce the stress of individuals who suffer from substance use disorders. However, the mediating effects of resilience and affect balance in the relationships between specific social supports (family, friend, and significant others) and perceived stress are still unclear. This study focused on substance use disorders (SUD) patients, exploring the mediating roles of resilience and affect balance on the relationships between three dimensions of social supports (family, friend, and specialist) and stress. Three hundred thirty-nine participants completed questionnaires of perceived social support, resilience, affect balance, and stress. After controlling resilience and affect balance, the results suggested the effects of perceived family and specialist supports on perceived stress were fully mediated, and the association between perceived friend support and perceived stress is partially mediated. The multiple mediation analysis showed resilience is significant in mediating the relationship between specific perceived supports in all models, while affect balance is only significant in mediating the relationship between specialist support and perceived stress. Implications for enriching current theoretical research and strategies for government and practitioners were also discussed.

Housing and Social Connection: Older Formerly Homeless Veterans Living in Subsidized Housing and Receiving Supportive Services

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to (Aim 1) describe United States military veterans' experiences and attitudes about project-based housing (PBH) and tenant-based housing (TBH), including perceptions of their new environment, self-sufficiency, and social integration. We identified (Aim 2) features of program design and housing facilities associated with self-sufficiency and social integration including describing differences in veterans' experiences of housing (PBH vs. TBH).Methods: Interviews were conducted with 30 Veterans in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program (25 male and 5 female; average age 63). Thirteen lived in PBH and 17 in TBH in the Greater Boston Metro Area.Results: Social isolation may be a particular challenge of older formerly homeless adults. Veterans in both types of supportive housing struggled with social isolation despite social engagement opportunities available in PBH. Healthcare and transportation issues were important for veterans living in TBH while behavioral health issues were a major factor for those living in both types of housing. Both groups of veterans relied on their case management teams as a means of support and social engagement.Conclusions: To reduce social isolation and loneliness, more attention is needed by program staff to provide varied social engagement opportunities, from one-on-one to group activities.Clinical Implications: These findings can help providers recognize issues inhibiting formerly homeless veterans from being successful in supportive housing. Clinicians should consider how veterans' behavioral health impacts their ability to engage in social activities. Substance use disorder remains a challenge for many veterans interviewed. Its effects impact their perceptions of fellow residents, perceptions of housing, and recovery.

Advocates Make a Difference in Duration of Homelessness and Quality of Life

Social support is known to protect against homelessness and improve the wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness, but the role of professional versus informal advocates has not been studied in relation to the duration of homelessness and quality of life. We measured the effect of the presence and quality of formal (professional) and informal (family or friend) advocates on these outcomes. Our team interviewed 67 adults experiencing homelessness at tiny house villages and self-organized encampments in Seattle/King County, Washington in 2018-2019. The duration of homelessness was 19.6 months shorter for those with a high-quality informal advocate, compared to those without, while controlling for race, age, gender, and sexuality. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance at the alpha 0.05 level (p = .069). Additionally, those with high-quality informal advocates had 5.3 times the odds (p = .010) of reporting high quality of life compared to those without. The effect of at least one high-quality, professional advocate was insignificant in our model. Our results suggest social workers and other professional advocates integrate methods that strengthen clients' informal relationships into their practice.

Loneliness among Homeless Individuals during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The feeling of loneliness is a major public health concern associated with multiple somatic and psychiatric illnesses. Studies have shown increasing incidence of loneliness in the general population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeless individuals are a particularly vulnerable group; however, little is known about loneliness among homeless individuals. We therefore aimed to examine the prevalence of loneliness among homeless individuals during the pandemic. Furthermore, we estimated the association between loneliness and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, as well as the self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19. Data from the Hamburg survey of homeless individuals were used, including 151 homeless individuals that were recruited in spring of 2020. Loneliness was measured by the 3- item version of the UCLA-3 Loneliness Scale. To summarize, 48.5% of the participants experienced loneliness. Multiple linear regressions showed increased loneliness to be associated with male gender (β = 1.07, p = 0.01), being single (β = 1.33, p = 0.00), originating from Germany (β = 1.48, p = 0.00), high frequency of sharing a sleeping space with more than three people (β = 0.42, p = 0.02) and a higher self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 (β = 0.41, p = 0.02). On the contrary, there was no association of loneliness with age, educational level, chronic alcohol consumption or frequently sharing a sleeping space. In conclusion, the magnitude of loneliness among homeless individuals during the pandemic was highlighted. Description of factors determining loneliness may help to identify homeless individuals at risk.

Loneliness in Homeless Participants of a Housing First Program: Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial

People who are homeless are likely to experience loneliness. Housing First (HF) is a program aimed at providing home placement to homeless people who also have mental health and/or substance use-related problems. The current study was performed to assess feelings of loneliness among participants of a HF program. A randomized controlled trial was performed comparing participants in two groups, HF (n = 46) and treatment as usual (n = 41). No significant differences regarding loneliness between groups were noted at baseline (p = 0.841), 8-month follow up (p = 0.509), or 21-month follow up (p = 0.833); however, participants with severe mental illness reported higher feelings of loneliness at the 8-month assessment than at baseline. This increase was higher in HF participants. These findings are partially consistent with previous research and are of relevance for providers, policy makers, and teams working with HF programs. Findings indicate the need to address feelings of loneliness in this population. Further research is needed to ascertain the effectiveness of HF programs on loneliness. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59(3), 44-51.].

The role of reflective consequences in developing recovery capital for the recovering substance abuser population of Tehran city

The aim of this study is to explore the hidden dimensions of recovery capital as utilized among a sample of the recovery population of Tehran city. This qualitative study involved a sample of 27 available people, including different groups of recovering drug users and experts. In the semi-structured face-to-face interview, the focus was on the dimensions of recovery capital and contributing factors to recovery. The criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln were applied for trustworthiness of the research data. After thematic analysis of the data, a total of 310 codes were identified. The theme extracted is the concept of reflective consequences of recovery capital, which has two main categories of passive (altruism, fear of losing existing possessions, fear of repeating past experiences) and persuasion (internal and external). The reflective consequences are the reproducers of recovery capital and can appear at all three individual, micro and mezo levels.

Giving syphilis and gonorrhea to friends: using in-person friendship networks to find additional cases of gonorrhea and syphilis

Background

Syphilis and gonorrhea reached an all-time high in 2018. The resurgence of syphilis and gonorrhea requires innovative methods of sexual contact tracing that encourage disclosure of same-sex sexual contacts that might otherwise be suppressed. Over 75% of Grindr mobile phone application users report seeking “friendship,” so this study asked people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea to identify their friends.

Methods

Patients at the two Baltimore sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics and the Baltimore City Health Department were asked 12 questions to elicit members of their friendship networks before eliciting sexual networks. The study included 353 index cases and 172 friendship contacts, yielding a friendship network of 331 non-isolates (n = 331) and sexual-only network of 140 non-isolates. The data were plotted and analyzed using exponential family random graph analysis.

Results

Eliciting respondents’ in-person social contacts yielded 12 syphilis cases and 6 gonorrhea cases in addition to the 16 syphilis cases and 4 gonorrhea cases that would have been found with sexual contacts alone. Syphilis is clustered within sexual (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (1.36, 3.66)) and social contacts (OR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.02, 1.68)). Gonorrhea is clustered within reported social (OR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.22, 2.00)) but not sexual contacts (OR = 0.98, 95% CI (0.62, 1.53)).

Conclusions

Eliciting friendship networks of people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea may find members of their sexual networks, drug use networks, or people of similar STI risk. Friendship networks include more diagnosed cases of syphilis and gonorrhea than sexual networks alone, especially among populations with many non-disclosing men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW). Future research should evaluate whether this friendship network method of contact tracing can be implemented by adapting automated mobile phone COVID-19 contact tracing protocols, if these COVID-19 contact tracing methods are able to maintain anonymity and public trust.

Giving syphilis and gonorrhea to friends: Using in-person friendship networks to find additional cases of gonorrhea and syphilis

Background

Syphilis and gonorrhea reached an all-time high in 2018. The resurgence of syphilis and gonorrhea requires innovative methods of sexual contact tracing that encourage disclosure of same-sex sexual contacts that might otherwise be suppressed. Over 75% of Grindr mobile phone application users report seeking "friendship," so this study asked people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea to identify their friends.

Methods

Patients at the two Baltimore sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics and the Baltimore City Health Department were asked 12 questions to elicit members of their friendship networks before eliciting sexual networks. The study included 353 index cases and 172 friendship contacts, yielding a friendship network of 331 non-isolates (n=331) and sexual-only network of 140 non-isolates. The data were plotted and analyzed using exponential family random graph analysis.

Results

Eliciting respondents' in-person social contacts yielded 12 syphilis cases and 6 gonorrhea cases in addition to the 16 syphilis cases and 4 gonorrhea cases that would have been found with sexual contacts alone. Syphilis is clustered within sexual (odds ratio=2.2, 95% confidence interval (1.36, 3.66)) and social contacts (OR=1.31,95% CI (1.02, 1.68)). Gonorrhea is clustered within reported social (OR=1.56, 95% CI (1.22, 2.00)) but not sexual contacts (OR=0.98, 95% CI (0.62, 1.53)).

Conclusions

Eliciting friendship networks of people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea may find members of their sexual networks, drug use networks, or people of similar STI risk. Friendship networks include more diagnosed cases of syphilis and gonorrhea than sexual networks alone, especially among populations with many non-disclosing men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW). Future research should evaluate whether this friendship network method of contact tracing can be implemented by adapting automated mobile phone COVID-19 contact tracing protocols, if these COVID-19 contact tracing methods are able to maintain anonymity and public trust.

Giving syphilis and gonorrhea to friends: Using in-person friendship networks to find additional cases of gonorrhea and syphilis

BACKGROUND

Syphilis and gonorrhea reached an all-time high in 2018. The resurgence of syphilis and gonorrhea requires innovative methods of sexual contact tracing that encourage disclosure of same-sex sexual contacts that might otherwise be suppressed. Over 75% of Grindr mobile phone application users report seeking "friendship," so this study asked people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea to identify their friends.

METHODS

Patients at the two Baltimore sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics and the Baltimore City Health Department were asked 12 questions to elicit members of their friendship networks before eliciting sexual networks. The study included 353 index cases and 172 friendship contacts, yielding a friendship network of 331 non-isolates (n=331) and sexual-only network of 140 non-isolates. The data were plotted and analyzed using exponential family random graph analysis.

RESULTS

Eliciting respondents' in-person social contacts yielded 12 syphilis cases and 6 gonorrhea cases in addition to the 16 syphilis cases and 4 gonorrhea cases that would have been found with sexual contacts alone. Syphilis is clustered within sexual (odds ratio=2.2, 95% confidence interval (1.36, 3.66)) and social contacts (OR=1.31, 95% CI (1.02, 1.68)). Gonorrhea is clustered within reported social (OR=1.56, 95% CI (1.22, 2.00)) but not sexual contacts (OR=0.98, 95% CI (0.62, 1.53)).

CONCLUSIONS

Eliciting friendship networks of people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea may find members of their sexual networks, drug use networks, or people of similar STI risk. Friendship networks include more diagnosed cases of syphilis and gonorrhea than sexual networks alone, especially among populations with many non-disclosing men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW). Future research should evaluate whether this friendship network method of contact tracing can be implemented by adapting automated mobile phone COVID-19 contact tracing protocols, if these COVID-19 contact tracing methods are able to maintain anonymity and public trust.

Is Facebook use healthy for individuals experiencing homelessness? A scoping review on social networking and living in the streets

Background: Although they are faced with a situation of extreme social exclusion, individuals experiencing homelessness (IEH) have gradually begun to incorporate the use of social networking sites (SNS) into their everyday lives. Aims: To review the publications that have examined the use of SNS among IEH and to analyze the impact that this online activity has on the health of these individuals. Methods: This study employed a scoping review method, analyzing scientific literature published up to the end of 2016. Results: An analysis was performed on nineteen peer-reviewed articles and three grey literature publications. IEH, especially those who are younger, use SNS in a similar proportion to the overall population. When these individuals used the networks due to their own initiative, it was found to have a positive health effect in that it mitigated the consequences of living on the street. Interventions aimed at improving the participants' health achieved positive results, both in terms of preventing problems associated with drug abuse and high-risk sexual behavior and of promoting mental health. Conclusions: The use of SNS presents some health benefits for IEH. Virtual communication and information alternatives provide opportunities to improve the mental and general health of people in social exclusion situations.

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

BACKGROUND

Web-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.

OBJECTIVE

This 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.

METHODS

An 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.

RESULTS

A 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).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that Facebook could be a key element in homeless psychological well-being and socialization.

Australian homeless persons' experiences of social connectedness, isolation and loneliness

Both loneliness and a lack of social integration are associated with serious physical and psychological health issues. One population highly susceptible to social isolation and loneliness are individuals who are homeless, who also experience high rates of mental disorder and relationship breakdown. Despite this, little research has explored how social networks, isolation and loneliness are experienced for those with a history of homelessness. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to get a nuanced understanding of how social networks and isolation are experienced and understood by individuals experiencing homelessness. Sixteen participants who were either homeless (n = 11) or previously homeless (n = 5) in Sydney, Australia, completed one-off interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants constructed their social networks as being both constrained and enabled by marginalisation. They experienced rejection from the non-homeless: the loss of critical network members, including rejection from family and a lack of companionship, and low quality and precarious relationships within the homeless community. These accounts were best conceptualised through loneliness theory. Participant's accounts signal that the homeless will likely continue feeling isolated if mainstream attitudes towards homelessness remain stigmatising and discriminatory.

Qualitative exploration of relationships between peers in residential addiction treatment

Relationships between peers are often considered central to the therapeutic process, yet there is relatively little empirical research either on the nature of peer-to-peer relationships within residential treatment or on how those relationships generate positive behaviour change or facilitate recovery. In this paper, we explore relationships between peers in residential addiction treatment, drawing upon the concept of social capital to frame our analyses. Our study was undertaken during 2015 and 2016 in two English residential treatment services using the same therapeutic community-informed model of treatment. We conducted 22 in-depth interviews with 13 current and 9 former service residents. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded in MAXQDA, and analysed using Iterative Categorisation. Residents reported difficult relationship histories and limited social networks on entry into treatment. Once in treatment, few residents described bonding with their peers on the basis of shared experiences and lifestyles. Instead, interpersonal differences polarised residents in ways that undermined their social capital further. Some senior peers who had been in residential treatment longer acted as positive role models, but many modelled negative behaviours that undermined others' commitment to treatment. Relationships between peers could generate feelings of comfort and connectedness, and friendships developed when residents found things in common with each other. However, residents more often reported isolation, loneliness, wariness, bullying, manipulation, intimidation, social distancing, tensions and conflict. Overall, relationships between peers within residential treatment seemed to generate some positive but more negative social capital; undermining the notion of the community as a method of positive behaviour change. With the caveat that our data have limitations and further research is needed, we suggest that residential treatment providers should more routinely open the "black box" of "community as method" to consider the complex and dynamic nature of the relationships and social capital inside.

Desired Destinations of Homeless Women: Realizing Aspirations Within the Context of Homelessness

Despite recent decreases, homelessness remains a substantial problem in the United States. Homelessness is associated with poor health, and homeless women experience earlier mortality than their housed counterparts. Understanding the aspirations of homeless women may offer service providers avenues for intervention to increase well-being among this vulnerable population. This study, a secondary analysis of transcribed interviews (n = 20), provides insight into the aspirations of homeless women. Opportunities for service providers to intervene on these aspirations within the context of homelessness are offered.