Demographic and psychological characteristics associated with level of success in a residential program for homeless, employed adults.

• Main Author: Backus, David Haskins, II.
• Other Authors: Kahn, Marvin
• Language: en
• Published: The University of Arizona. 1995
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/187354

Fifty-two consecutive homeless volunteers entering a Tucson, Arizona, subsidized communal living and support program over a one-year period were administered psychological, personality, and performance tests over a four-month period. There were three possible Residence Outcome Types: (1) Completers (N = 15)--those subjects remaining in residence in the program for at least 120 days; (2) "Voluntary Exiters" (N = 13)--those exiting the program in good standing after less than 120 days in residence; and (3) "Involuntary Exiters" (N = 24)--those who were mandatorily ejected from the program due to substance abuse (N = 13) or other serious breach of program rules (N = 11) (such as failing to maintain employment or pay bills), after fewer than 120 days in residence. Voluntary Exiters appeared the least psychologically impaired, most self-directed, most socially and personally independent, and less likely to be assessed as schizophrenic than the other two outcome types. Completers, compared to Involuntary Exiters, did not abuse substances, and had superior persistence in residence (120+ days) to both Voluntary Exiters (65 days) and Involuntary Exiters (58 days). The three Residence Outcome Types had in common very high F (unusual experiences), PD (psychopathic deviate), and high PA (Paranoia) scores on their initial MMPIs.