ivariate statistical methods were used to analyze data.
In line with the study's purpose, Bassuk and Rosenberg identified several sociodemographic and psychological correlates of family homelessness. In particular, it was noted that when compared to housed families, homeless families evidenced greater lack of social support and a greater number of psychiatric problems.
It was concluded that increasing affordable housing and providing adequate income maintenance would help to reduce the problem. This conclusion (whether it be right or wrong) seemed to "appear out of left field" given the general nature of the research. It seems reasonable to state that it would be more in accord with findings to conclude that poor families be given greater access to social support and psychological services so as to prevent them from succumbing to homelessness; and/or that already homeless families might be given these services in an effort to free them from homelessness. The affordability of housing wasn't even measured in the study.
Bassuk and Rosenberg's study contributes to the knowledge base by confirming the speculations of previous work regarding sociodemographic and psychological correlates of family homelessness. Its primary limitation is its correlational nature which does not allow for the formulation of any causal associations between examined variables.
Bassuk, E.L., Rubin, L. & Lauriat, A.S. (1986). Characteristics of sheltered homeless families. American Journal of Public Health, 76(9), 1097-1101.
This study is descriptive in nature with the authors stating that their primary purpose is to collect clinical information on sheltered homeless families. Homeless families are operationalized as families headed by single parent females with children. Thus, findings may not generalize to other family homeless family structures.
Five earlier studies of the social consequences of homelessness and sheltered living are...