Preliminary Results of an Intervention to Enhance Psychological Capital in Homeless Females

Purpose: Homeless young women ages 18-23 years are the most vulnerable of unstably-housed youth. They are at risk for sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, substance use/abuse, and exposure to high levels of victimization; however, they have inherent strengths such as hope, resiliency, optimism and self-efficacy that help them survive on the streets. These positive resources have been described as psychological capital. Limited research has been conducted that focuses on these vulnerable young women, especially from a strengths-based perspective. Few theory-driven interventions have been developed and tested for homeless young women. Therefore, this study examined preliminary efficacy of a 4-session intervention based on a Positive Psychology paradigm. Exploration of differences in indicators of psychological capital between participants in the intervention and those in an attention control group immediately following the intervention and 4 weeks later are discussed.

 Methods: Following IRB approval and written informed consent, 73 eligible homeless young women enrolled in the study (47 intervention and 28 control group). Recruitment was conducted at a drop-in center in Texas. Participants averaged 20.8 years of age, 37.3% were White, and had lived away from home for an average of 2 months. The intervention and control group sessions were led by two sets of female facilitators (one nursing student and one social work student) trained by the investigators to follow a manual with content and strategies to enhance psychological capital (experimental intervention group) and street health resources (control group). Data were collected using standardized, valid scales (Cronbach’s alpha = .78-.96) by two other students at three points in time: prior to beginning of either groups first session, immediately following the completion of the 4 sessions, and at a follow-up date 4 weeks later. Following the 4 sessions, participants in both intervention and control groups were given a cell phone to use for the 4-week period before the follow-up interview. Weekly contact was made with each participant during the 4-week period following the face-to-face group sessions to encourage those in the intervention to meet their goals and to remind those in the control group that we would collect data one more time. Each participant received a total of $45 for providing data at all three time points.

 Results: A statistically significant time effect was found in measures of psychological capital (p < .001), hope (p < .001), resilience (p = .036), future time perspective  (p = .033), self-efficacy to refuse alcohol, and social connectedness (p = .012). There were significant time by group effects for optimism (p = .034) and negotiation for safer sex (p = .009), but no significant time change or differences between groups for safe sex behaviors or optimism was found.

 Conclusions: The significant preliminary intervention findings, despite the small sample size, are encouraging because they indicate that a brief group intervention delivered in a drop-in center can influence young women to enhance their psychological capital and reach goals. Positive changes in psychological capital that include positive attitudes about the future may contribute to improving their quality of life.