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Role of Stressful Life Events in Homelessness: An Intragroup Analysis

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American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

The present paper describes the results of an analysis of individual differences—using multidimensional strategies—in stressful life event data collected from a representative sample of homeless people (N = 289) in Madrid, Spain, which revealed the existence of three subgroups within the sample. Each subgroup can be defined by the following differentiating characteristics: The first cluster (n = 124) was characterized by economic problems; the second (n = 80) by health problems, alcohol abuse, and death of one or both parents; and the third cluster (n = 50) by an accumulation of stressful life in childhood events and alcohol abuse. In order to define the subgroups, the article also examines the differences found in other variables such as total duration of homelessness, mental and physical health status, and social support availability, among others. The existence of such subgroups within the homeless population emphasizes the importance of designing different interventions for each of these groups, adapted to their diverse needs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Madrid, Spain

    Manuel Muñnoz, Sonia Panadero, Eloísa Pérez Santos & M. Ángeles Quiroga

  2. School of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Campus de Somosaguas, Madrid, Spain, 28023

    Manuel Muñnoz

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  1. Manuel Muñnoz
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  2. Sonia Panadero
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  3. Eloísa Pérez Santos
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  4. M. Ángeles Quiroga
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Correspondence to Manuel Muñnoz.

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Muñnoz, M., Panadero, S., Santos, E.P. et al. Role of Stressful Life Events in Homelessness: An Intragroup Analysis. Am J Community Psychol 35, 35–47 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-005-1888-6

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