Brief hope-building intervention for adults actively experiencing homelessness: effect of participation on dispositional hope, satisfaction with life, and perceived standing in society

Homelessness is a major threat to overall wellbeing. Individuals and families experiencing homelessness have higher rates of chronic and infectious diseases than the general population, including most mental illnesses. They also tend to have much lower levels of hope than the general population. While working to obtain stable housing, people experiencing homelessness can benefit from psychosocial support strategies. Strategies to leverage positive psychological factors, such as hope, satisfaction with life, and perceived standing in society, are associated with improved health status and other wellbeing indicators in vulnerable populations. The primary objective of this exploratory study was to determine if a brief, open, small-group intervention at a homeless daytime drop-in center could increase levels of hope, satisfaction with life, and perceived standing in society. This intervention did not produce significant changes in dispositional hope, satisfaction with life, or perceived standing in society. The principal findings of this exploratory study signal a possible need for more thorough and long-term efforts in populations experiencing homelessness.