Internalizing subgroups of homeless adults: Investigating links between perceived ostracism and need-threat
File(s)fpsyg-10-00350.pdf (436.01 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Van Zalk, Nejra
Rebecca, Smith
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Social ostracism among the homeless is a prevailing problem, yet few studies have focused on whether internalizing psychopathology moderates the links between feeling ostracized and perceiving threats to fundamental human needs. This study used a person-oriented approach to identify commonly occurring profiles of internalizing psychopathology characterized by symptoms of social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depression (Low, Medium, and High Internalizers) among homeless participants residing in London, UK (N = 114; age range = 18-74; Mage = 46; 25% women). Data on perceived ostracism (feeling ignored and daily discrimination) and need-threat (belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and feelings of control) was also collected. Controlling for the effects of age, living arrangement, gender, and time being homeless, feeling ignored was a significant predictor of need-threat, whereas daily discrimination was not. One significant interaction on the links between daily discrimination and need-threat emerged between Low and Medium Internalizers. For Medium Internalizers, high levels of daily discrimination were associated with high levels of need-threat. The effect was similar for High Internalizers and the opposite for Low Internalizers, though it was not significant within those groups. Taken together, these results indicate that differences in patterns of internalizing psychopathology should be taken into account when attempting to make homeless individuals feel more included in their surroundings.
Date Issued
2019-02-20
Date Acceptance
2019-02-04
Citation
Frontiers in Psychology, 2019, 10, pp.1-12
ISSN
1664-1078
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Start Page
1
End Page
12
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Psychology
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Van Zalk and Smith. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Identifier
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00350/full
Subjects
Social Sciences
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Psychology
homelessness
internalizing psychopathology
ostracism
need-threat
person-oriented approach
MENTAL-HEALTH
SOCIAL EXCLUSION
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
PEOPLE
DEPRESSION
REJECTION
COMORBIDITY
PERSONALITY
ANXIETY
ADOLESCENCE
homelessness
internalizing psychopathology
need-threat
ostracism
person-oriented approach
1701 Psychology
1702 Cognitive Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
350
Date Publish Online
2019-02-20