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The attachment relationship between hostel-based homeless individuals and their keyworkers

  • Antigonos Sochos
    ,
  • Anita Richards
    ,
  • Sue Smith
    ,
  • Andrea Balint
    ,
  • Ashley Bennett
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Research on the relationship between individuals experiencing homelessness and their keyworkers from an attachment perspective is scarce. In Study 1, 84 young individuals experiencing homelessness and their keyworkers completed measures of attachment, post-traumatic stress, and work-related distress. Hierarchical regression indicated that secure attachment with the keyworker was independently predicted by failed protection and goal-corrected partnership. Preoccupied attachment with the keyworker was predicted by fear of parental loss and client post-traumatic stress while avoidant attachment to the keyworker was predicted by goal-corrected partnership. These findings suggested that the relationship between youth experiencing homelessness and hostel staff was linked with the formers’ attachment experiences with their caregivers. In Study 2, 46 homeless individuals undergoing psychological therapy completed measures of attachment and psychopathology before and after treatment. Moderated hierarchical regression suggested that individuals experiencing homelessness who tended to be avoidantly attached to their keyworkers had relatively limited improvement in post-traumatic stress after therapy. Present studies identified specific ways in which the attachment system is implicated in the homeless-keyworker relationship.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Article number

106924

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Children and Youth Services Review (Volume 149, Issue June 2023)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 12/03/2023
  • Published - 17/03/2023

Publication status

Published - 17/03/2023

ISSN

0190-7409

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625709
  • Scopus: 85150466720

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