Research project SO/10/033 (Research action SO)
A long tradition of research into social sciences has taken an interest in factors that determine rejection and solidarity attitudes towards underprivileged or stigmatised groups. Two perceptions appear to be particularly decisive in rejection responses: the extent to which the target person is perceived as responsible for their plight and the extent to which the target person is perceived as a danger or threat. More recently, a third factor has been introduced: the moral value associated with conduct perceived as the cause of a problem. In other words, even if a homeless person is adjudged responsible for his or her plight, the reaction of another person towards them will be different if that person identifies laziness, mental illness or deliberate choice as the cause of that plight.
Furthermore, an array of research indicates that similarity (same values and beliefs, common destiny, etc.) is one of the most powerful attractivity factors between people. The assumption might therefore be made that persons whose material situation and lifestyle are closest to homeless people will be the ones who look upon them most favourably. When similarity is associated with negative identity, however, there is a danger of it being perceived as threatening for one’s self-image. In such an event, the necessary assumption would be that there is a negative relation between the proximity of a person’s social situation and their attitude towards homeless people.
Indeed, to all intents and purposes it seems that attitudes within the population towards homeless people are relatively ambivalent. On the one hand, the population demonstrates a great deal of generosity towards homeless people. On the other hand, however, it also shows reactions of repulsion that are virulent at times. This research project should make it possible to verify whether the different perceptions described above are capable of explaining the ambivalence of these attitudes, and to identify representations that must be heeded in order to counter these attitudes.
Another line of research, articulated around social identity theory, looks at the psychological consequences of belonging to a group defined negatively compared to other social groups, and in factors determining the choice of a strategy in order to combat this negative social identity. Three factors, which may be summarised as follows, appear to lie behind the choice of a certain form of action. Is my situation merited (legitimacy)? Might my situation improve (stability)? What are my chances of extricating myself on my own (permeability)? The project should make it possible to verify whether these are indeed the factors that predict the type of strategy adopted by homeless people, and observe the influence that the activities of associations have on these factors.
Work on minority influence indicates that consistent action chosen by a small group of people may lead to social changes in that group’s desired direction.
On the other hand, research into positive discrimination, or affirmative action, in favour of underprivileged or minority groups shows how these actions may have the opposite effect to that which is sought by reinforcing the negative reactions towards those presumed to be benefiting from them. The effect probably depends on certain characteristics of the action undertaken. This project should make it possible to determine the characteristics of initiatives taken by/with homeless people and the social responses to them (positive or negative reactions).
Surveys conducted in the United States indicate that people strongly associate living on the street with the existence of a mental condition, yet data available in Europe are too incomplete in order for us to tell if attitudes are the same here. Nevertheless, the issue of mental health is crucial for research into homeless people concerning both the positive impacts expected from the activities of associations dealing with homeless people and paying for these highly mobile and largely non-compliant people.
The specific PROJECT tasks are as follows:
A. Phase 1
Examination of changes in the number of homeless people and perceptions of problems associated with homeless people, plus listing of the different types of action conducted and reactions engendered.
A.1
A.1.1. Collection of available figures on numbers using night shelters in various Belgian cities, via the associations that provide assistance for homeless people.
A.1.2. Determination of changes in numbers living at subsistence level, buying power and the revenue gulf between the lowest earners and highest earners (indicators of the level of pauperisation and dualisation).
A.2
A.2.1. In order to delimit changes to the way in which the population perceives the problems associated with homeless people, an analysis will be made of the way in which French-language and Dutch-language newspapers and Belgium’s local press have reported the actions and problems associated with homeless people in recent years. We will also record the number of articles published per type of newspaper.
A.2.2. On the basis of this analysis of content and data from Eurobarometer and surveys into the values of Europeans (Inglehart), a list of actions conducted and their results will be compiled.
B. Phase 2
This involves carrying out the opinion survey of the ordinary population and, on the other hand, of social workers. With maximum representativity in mind, a proportion of the questionnaires produced will be dispatched by post and others conducted via telephone.
Furthermore, this is the phase during which the views of homeless people will be collected on how they define their current situation as well as their "life project" in accordance with their personal recollections.
B.1 Review of literature concerning firstly the components of, and factors determining, attitudes and representations within the population and among social workers towards homeless people, followed by the attitude of homeless people towards society, and, finally, the way in which homeless people define their current situation in terms of identity, well-being and mental health.
B.2
B.2.1 Drafting (in French) of questionnaires aimed at highlighting the components of, and factors determining, attitudes among the population towards homeless people.
B.2.2 Completion of pre-testing of the prepared questionnaire.
B.2.3 Adaptation of the questionnaire to social workers (psychologists, social assistants, educators or volunteers working in a non-profit-making association or institutions providing front-line help for homeless people).
B.2.4 Completion of pre-testing for the questionnaire aimed at social workers.
B.2.5 Translation into Dutch of the questionnaires aimed at the ordinary population and at social workers.
B.2.6 Completion of pre-testing for the Dutch version of the questionnaires aimed at the ordinary population and at social workers.
B.3
B.3.1 Submission of the questionnaires to a random sample based on the notion of urban and rural "administrative districts" (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels).
B.3.2 On the basis of the questionnaires, gathering of data regarding representations, identity and mental health. Encryption of results.
B.3.3 Multivariate statistical analyses of replies in order to unearth the variables with the greatest influence over attitude formation vis-à-vis homeless people.
B.4 Drawing-up of methodology for gathering the opinions of homeless people on how they define their current situation, not to mention their "life project" in accordance with their personal recollections.
B.4.1 Finalisation of a semi-structured interview procedure with homeless people giving rise to quantifiable data.
B.4.2 Setting-up of a control group comprising people in a precarious social situation (jobseekers, people living at subsistence level) but with a permanent address.
B.4.3 Conducting of interviews with homeless people and people living in a precarious social situation.
B.4.4 Encryption and analysis of results involving how homeless people define their current situation in terms of identity, well being and mental health. Comparison with results from the control group in order to measure the impact of having a permanent address on the responses given.
C.Phase 3
Evaluation, using a group of ordinary people, of the impact of various initiatives in favour of homeless people on attitudes within the population and on the situation facing homeless people.
Laboratory research.
C.1 Drawing-up of methodology for evaluating the impact of different initiatives in favour of homeless people on attitudes within the population and on the situation facing homeless people, depending on their degree of involvement in these initiatives.
C.2 Experimental manipulations of the type of economic situation and type of action undertaken in order to analyse the impact they have on the main components of attitudes towards homeless people highlighted in phase 2.
C.2.1 Constitution of scenario’s.
C.2.2 Completion of pre-testing.
C.2.3 Presentation of the scenario’s.
C.2.4 Data analysis.
C.3 Measurements of the impact of initiatives in terms of representation, identity and the "“life projects" of homeless people.
Comparison of the evolution of homeless people taking part in actions with the evolution of a group also made up of homeless people, but not taking part in these initiatives. Comparison between people participating in different actions or engaging differently in them.
C.4 At the same time, completion of an assessment of the financial and legal situation and the physical and mental health of a number of homeless people. This assessment will be conducted before and after participation of these people in collective actions with the aid of social workers.
C.5 Drafting of the final report.
Les personnes sans-abri en Belgique : regards croisés des habitants de la rue, de l'opinion publique et des travailleurs sociaux
Philippot, Pierre - Galand, Benoît, Bodeux, François ... et al Gent : Academia Press, 2003 (PB6008)
Insertion sociale des sans-abri : attitudes, préjudices et actions collectives : résumé
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2003 (SP1264)
[To download]
Sociale herintrede van de daklozen : houdingen, vooroordelen, identiteit en collectieve acties : samenvatting
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2003 (SP1265)
[To download]
Social Integration of the Homeless: Attitudes, Prejudices, and Collective Action : summary
Brussels : Federal scientific Policy, 2003 (SP1266)
[To download]
Bibliografic references :
