Homelessness and Helplessness: Correlating Learned Helplessness, Locus of Control, and Perceived Social Support with Chronic Homelessness

This study explores the relationship between learned helplessness, locus of control, perceived social support, and chronic homelessness. At the outset of the study, it was predicted that as an individual's incidence of chronic homelessness increases, learned helplessness would also increase. It was also predicted that as the incidence of chronic homelessness increases, locus of control would become more external. In addition, it was predicted that as the incidence of chronic homelessness increases, perceived social support would decrease. In addition, relationships among learned helplessness, locus of control, and perceived social support were examined. Furthermore, the researcher also explored the interactions of the screening variables of depression, probability of substance dependence, and presence of psychosis. This study aimed to apply the perspective of individual deficits and personal disabilities to the process of investigating the relationship between learned helplessness, locus of control, perceived social support, and chronic homelessness. Among all correlations examined, only one statistically significant correlation was found between locus of control and perceived social support. As locus of control became more external, perceived social support decreased among the participants. At the close of the study, the researcher makes pertinent recommendations regarding future research that might uncover individual psychological factors free of confounding variables. If implemented, these recommendations may contribute to developing more effective treatment interventions targeting the homeless population.