Happiness and self-actualization under conditions of strain: a sample of homeless men.

Maslow's contention that happiness includes striving and is more than a hedonistic construct was tested in a sample of 146 homeless men. Since all participants were homeless, environmental experiences can be considered as largely held constant, allowing an examination of personality and happiness under conditions of strain. Principal axis factor analysis with promax and oblique rotations placed scores from the measures Unhappy-Happy and the Brief Index of Self-actualization on the same factor which supported Maslow's idea.

Cognitive-affective preparation for homelessness: quantitative and qualitative analyses of childhood out-of-home placement and child abuse in a sample of homeless men.

Patterns of homelessness were examined against histories of childhood out-of-home placement and abuse in a sample of 146 homeless men. It was speculated that out-of-home placement and abuse influenced needs for love and belonging and were related to preparation for adult homelessness. Main effects of a 2 x 2 (placement by abuse) multivariate analysis of variance were significant with longer periods of time since first homeless and greater lengths of a current episode of homelessness associated with childhood out-of-home placement.

Research on homeless men and women: existential-humanistic and clinical thinking.

Researchers interested in homeless persons have concentrated on disease, overlooking assets. The content of this paper challenges researchers to a more comprehensive view of homeless samples to include mental wellness. Recommendations for research are suggested.

Construct validity of the physical Self-Efficacy Scale for a black sample: implications for health educators.

Principal components factor analysis of the Physical Self-efficacy Scale and measures of cardiorespiratory function, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, and a rating of perceived health were calculated for a sample of 138 black undergraduates. Physical Self-efficacy Scale scores were organized into a factor that represented outcomes of fitness in support of the construct validity of the test. Additional evidence of validity was found in application of multiple regression analysis which indicated that nondominant hand-grip strength and sit and reach were significant physical predictors of efficacy scores.

What have you learned from your homeless experience? A phenomenological approach for counseling unsheltered homeless men.

Field notes were obtained from 145 unsheltered homeless men regarding what they had learned from an experience of homelessness. Responses represented an aspect of each person's internal frame of reference. Statements about trust in self and an efficacy to survive were common themes.