Social Support Among Homeless Adults

Abstract

This paper provides reviews of the research conducted on both social support and homelessness, indicating areas of possible future study; especially important are longitudinal and experimental designs. The current study examines the relationship between social support and physical and mental health outcomes among a sample of homeless adults (N= 150). Taking in to account the accuracy of the buffering and direct effects models of social support among this population, it was expected that both models would be supported depending on the measure of social support. Furthermore, this study offers suggestions in the designs of future longitudinal and experimental designs.