Citation

Philippot P, Lecocq C, Sempoux F, Nachtergael H, Galand B. J. Soc. Iss. 2007; 63(3): 483-503.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00520.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The rapidly growing, but still small, research literature on homelessness in Europe has often been provided by non-academics, using qualitative methods, and has been published in sources that are not widely available. This article summarizes definitions employed, observed prevalence, the socio-demographic characteristics, and the physical and mental health status of the homeless in Western Europe. Research pertaining to the causes of homelessness and the societal response to the problem are also reviewed, and the ethical and methodological questions raised by European researchers are debated. A critical analysis of the largely descriptive European research is provided, and some noteworthy exceptions are described. We also discuss a number of promising theoretical models, including those that focus on learned helplessness, social strain, and social stress.