Affiliation, gender, and parental status among homeless persons

Affiliation, loss of affiliation, and the associated effects on homeless individuals were assessed via a survey of 230 homeless adults in Florida. Women accompanied by dependent children, unaccompanied women, and unaccompanied men were compared regarding levels of affiliation and associations among affiliation, self-esteem, and locus of control. The women accompanied by children maintained more family contacts and had higher levels of self-esteem; for the group, locus of control was more external than for either the unaccompanied women or the unaccompanied men. Women with children also had the lowest median number of days homeless and the highest average monthly incomes.