Self-reported health, healthcare service use and health-related needs: A comparison of older and younger homeless people.

The number of older homeless people with a limited life expectancy is increasing. European studies on their health-related characteristics are lacking. This study compared self-reported health, healthcare service use and health-related needs of older and younger homeless people in the Netherlands.

The association between social exclusion or inclusion and health in EU and OECD countries: a systematic review.

Background: Social exclusion (SE), or the inability to participate fully in society, is considered one of the driving forces of health inequalities. Systematic evidence on this subject is pertinent but scarce. This review aims to systematically summarise peer reviewed studies examining the association between the multidimensional concepts of SE and social inclusion (SI) and health among adults in EU and OECD countries.

Fidelity of a strengths-based intervention used by dutch shelters for homeless young adults.

Objective: In a cluster randomized controlled trial, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of and fidelity to Houvast (Dutch for "grip"), a strengths-based intervention to improve the quality of life for homeless young adults.

Methods: Fidelity was measured six months after professionals and team leaders at five Dutch shelters for homeless young adults finished their training in Houvast. Fidelity was measured with the Dutch version of the strengths model fidelity scale, which consists of ten indicators distributed across three subscales: structure, supervision, and clinical practice.

A strengths based method for homeless youth: effectiveness and fidelity of Houvast.

Background: While homelessness among youth is a serious problem, there is little information about evidence-based interventions for homeless youth. In cooperation with professionals and youths, Wolf (2012) developed Houvast (Dutch for 'grip'): a strengths based method grounded in scientific and practice evidence. The main aim of Houvast is to improve the quality of life of homeless youths by focusing on their strengths, thus stimulating their capacity for autonomy and self-reliance.