Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Can a House Become More Than a Home? Effects of Housing Assistance and Supportive Services on Promoting Capabilities among Homeless Mothers

Erdem, Gizem
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386430743

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science.
The purpose of the current study was to examine treatment outcomes of an integrative housing intervention, using Sen’s (1999) Capability Approach. To that aim, 60 substance-abusing homeless mothers with 2-6 year old children were recruited from a family shelter in a Midwestern city. Upon completion of the initial assessment, 30 mothers were randomized to Ecologically Based Treatment Intervention (EBT) while 30 mothers continued with services through the shelter. Mothers in the EBT condition received an integrative intervention, which included 3 months rental and utility assistance, substance abuse counseling, and case management services for up to 6 months. Follow-up assessments were completed at 3, 6, and 9 months post baseline. The current study operationalized capabilities as outcomes, utilizing Ranis, Stewart, and Samman’s (2006) definitions. Specifically, capabilities were tested in six main domains: fundamental dimensions of human development (independent living days, ability to meet basic needs), safety/physical security (victimization), material well-being (employment, income), health (quality of life, happiness), empowerment/autonomy (self-efficacy), and social integration (seeking medical care, education, and attending religious activities). Multilevel mixed effects modeling revealed few differences between the groups. Mothers in the EBT condition had a faster increase in their independent living days, as compared to mothers in the TAU condition. On the other hand, analyses of time effects suggested distinctive findings regarding mothers’ subjective and objective well-being. Mothers in both groups reported fewer problems in meeting their basic needs over time. In addition, mothers reported improvements in their health related quality of life and felt happier over time. Interestingly, mothers’ objective well-being, such as employment, social integration, and criminal victimization were stable throughout the study. In other words, mothers continued to experience structural problems such as unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion, but they reported feeling better about themselves and their condition over time. This finding was explored further through additional multilevel mixed effects analysis. Contrary to the expectations, neither treatment condition nor housing stability or timing of housing predicted mothers’ improvements in their subjective well-being. Instead, mothers’ happiness was associated with their independent living days, their levels of self-efficacy, and a decrease in experiences of intimate partner violence. These findings indicate that home ownership, empowerment, and bodily integrity (safety in relationships) are critical capabilities for the mothers in promoting their subjective well-being. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed further from a Capability perspective.
Natasha Slesnick (Advisor)
Michael Glassman (Committee Member)
Cynthia Buettner (Committee Member)
Behaviorial Sciences; Clinical Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Erdem, G. (2014). Can a House Become More Than a Home? Effects of Housing Assistance and Supportive Services on Promoting Capabilities among Homeless Mothers [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386430743

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Erdem, Gizem. Can a House Become More Than a Home? Effects of Housing Assistance and Supportive Services on Promoting Capabilities among Homeless Mothers . 2014. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386430743.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Erdem, Gizem. "Can a House Become More Than a Home? Effects of Housing Assistance and Supportive Services on Promoting Capabilities among Homeless Mothers ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386430743

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1386430743
633
© , all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.