Predicting Well-Being Among Homeless Emerging Adults

Background and Purpose: Homeless emerging adults are among the most vulnerable members of society as they experience high rates of psychological dysfunction, substance abuse, childhood abuse, sexually transmitted infections, and street victimization. These circumstances often lead to an assumption that these young people experience relatively low levels of well-being. While psychological distress has dominated the focus of research on homelessness, the psychological well-being or the overall sense of feeling hopeful and valued has been largely neglected in research of high-risk populations. Drawing upon a strengths perspective, this study aimed to understand the capacity of homeless emerging adults to thrive in spite of negative life events. Therefore, this study examined the extent to which individual characteristics, social support, future expectations and substance use behaviors affect the psychological well-being of homeless emerging adults.

Methods: A convenience sample (n=185) of homeless young adults (18-23 years) using drop-in center and street outreach services was recruited. Self-report, standardized measures were conducted orally to control for literacy problems. Measures focused on individual characteristics (demographics, homeless street culture), social support (general support and level of supportiveness from parents, friends, family members, and/or partners), expectations/perceptions of the future and substance use (level of use and motivation to decrease use). Multiple regression analyses examined these factors in relation to psychological well-being (measured by the standardized K6 scale).

Results: Participants averaged 21 years of age, were predominately male (67%) and Caucasian (68%). Most (61%) were living in a shelter, on the street, or squatting in abandoned houses, motels or cars; most ‘panhandled' (75%) to earn money. Less than half (46%) had graduated high school and most had been arrested (90%) during their lifetime. Following bivariate analyses, OLS regression was conducted. The final model demonstrated that being male, having greater social support from street peers, expressing an optimistic view of the future, or contemplating reduction in use of substances significantly predicted higher levels of psychological well-being, F(15, 159)=7.86, p<.001.

Conclusions: Homeless emerging adults who are living in unstable and transient situations are commonly viewed as victims. Although this perspective has merit, depicting homeless youth only as victims advances the belief that they have diminished skills and capabilities. This study's findings suggest that homeless youth feel positive about their lives and choices. They appear to look forward to the future with optimism and draw upon various individuals for support. These findings support previous research that homeless emerging adults are hopeful about their future aspirations. Practitioners working with these young people may find it helpful to draw upon these young adults' internal strengths and positive perspectives. Focusing on assets has a considerable advantage and providers recognizing these attributes are more likely to provide services that resonate with these young adults. A strengths-based approach may encourage homeless emerging adults to view the future with a belief that they have the power to effect positive change in their lives and transition out of homelessness.