Homelessness and Its Consequences: The Impact on Children's Psychological Well-being

by Downer,Rosemarie T.

• ISBN13: 9780815335801
• ISBN10: 0815335806
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-10-26
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This book explores in detail the concept of homelessness by examining the dynamics of shelter living and the financial costs in comparison to the psychological costs to the children and the family. A comparison is made with housed low-income families to highlight the fact that homelessness, outside of poverty, does play a key role in the negative outcomes of homeless children and families. Psychological well-being is defined with behavioral outcomes and self-concept while family functioning is defined with parenting dimensions, family environment and social supports. Strong recommendations are made for program implementations to provide a comprehensive response to the needs of homeless families with children.(Ph.D. dissertation, University of Maryland 1997; revised with new preface, bibliography, and index)

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface	xiii
Introduction	xv
Acknowledgments	xxv
Tables and Figures	xxvii
List of Abbreviations	xxxi
Homelessness-A Historical Perspective	1	(2)
Homelessness Today	3	(6)
Pathways to Homelessness	4	(5)
The Multidimensional Effects of Homelessness	9	(14)
Impact of Homelessness on Parents	9	(6)
Parenting Stress and Quality	12	(2)
Social Support	14	(1)
Impact of Homelessness on Children	15	(6)
Physical Implications	15	(1)
Psychological and Developmental Implications	16	(3)
Educational Implications	19	(2)
Conclusions	21	(2)
The Formation of Self-concept	23	(8)
Parental Influences on Children's Self-concept	24	(1)
The Influence of Homelessness on Parent-Child Relationships	25	(2)
Parent Self-concept, Family Functioning and Their Effects on the Parenting Role and Children's Self-concept	27	(1)
Self-concept and its Relation to Behavioral Problems	28	(1)
Conclusion	29	(2)
Research Design and Methodology	31	(12)
Participants	32	(1)
Measures	33	(5)
Procedures	38	(5)
Results	43	(34)
Overview	43	(1)
Section I- Characteristics of Homeless and Housed Families	43	(3)
Section II - The Functioning of Housed and Homeless Families and Children	46	(22)
Family Functioning Variables	46	(2)
Child Outcome Variables	48	(16)
Family Functioning Variables and Child Outcome Variables	64	(4)
Exploratory Analyses	68	(9)
Implications of Findings	77	(18)
The Effects of Poverty Coupled with Homelessness on Families	78	(1)
Social Support	79	(1)
Family Processes	80	(2)
Parenting Capacity	82	(2)
Behavioral Problems of Homeless and Housed Children	84	(2)
Relationships Between Family Functioning Variables and Child Outcome Variables	86	(1)
Predictors of Child Well-being	87	(2)
Conclusions	89	(1)
Policy and Program Implications	90	(2)
Limitations of the Study	92	(3)
Appendix A Research Summary/Description	95	(2)
Appendix B Request for Research Participants	97	(2)
Appendix C Consent Form	99	(2)
Appendix D Standardized Instructions - Before Parent Interviews	101	(2)
Appendix E Standardized Instructions - Before Child Interviews	103	(2)
Appendix F Participant Screening Sheet - Homeless	105	(2)
Appendix G Participant Screening Sheet - Housed	107	(2)
Appendix H Family Support Scale (FSS)	109	(2)
Appendix I Social Embeddedness Questionnaire (SEQ)	111	(2)
Appendix J The Family Environment Scale (FES)	113	(8)
Appendix K Parenting Dimensions Inventory (PDI)	121	(4)
Appendix L Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)	125	(4)
Appendix M Piers-Harris-Children's Self-concept Scale (CSCS)	129	(4)
Appendix N Qualitative Data - Parents	133	(2)
Appendix O Qualitative Data - Children	135	(2)
Bibliography	137	(18)
Subject Index	155	(4)
Name Index	159