Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat

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 occurri...

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Main Authors: Nejra Van Zalk, Rebecca Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00350/full
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author Nejra Van Zalk
Rebecca Smith
author_facet Nejra Van Zalk
Rebecca Smith
author_sort Nejra Van Zalk
collection DOAJ
description 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, United Kingdom (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.
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spelling doaj.art-0855222d58ad4a7fb7db55bfaeff42da2022-12-22T03:55:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782019-02-011010.3389/fpsyg.2019.00350413390Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-ThreatNejra Van Zalk0Rebecca Smith1Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Psychology, Social Work and Counselling, University of Greenwich, London, United KingdomSocial 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, United Kingdom (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.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00350/fullhomelessnessinternalizing psychopathologyostracismneed-threatperson-oriented approach
spellingShingle Nejra Van Zalk
Rebecca Smith
Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat
Frontiers in Psychology
homelessness
internalizing psychopathology
ostracism
need-threat
person-oriented approach
title Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat
title_full Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat
title_fullStr Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat
title_full_unstemmed Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat
title_short Internalizing Profiles of Homeless Adults: Investigating Links Between Perceived Ostracism and Need-Threat
title_sort internalizing profiles of homeless adults investigating links between perceived ostracism and need threat
topic homelessness
internalizing psychopathology
ostracism
need-threat
person-oriented approach
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00350/full
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