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The importance of self-mastery in enhancing quality of life and social participation of individuals experiencing homelessness: Results of a mixed-method study
Rutenfrans,M. Hanique,N. Van Regenmortel,M.R.F. Schalk,R.
Rutenfrans,M.
Hanique,N.
Van Regenmortel,M.R.F.
Schalk,R.
Abstract
Self-mastery plays a basic role in strength-based and recovery-oriented approaches applied by (mental) health-care institutions and social services. However, no research has been conducted on a comprehensive model that could provide insight into enhancing self-mastery and outcomes, such as social participation and quality of life, for individuals experiencing homelessness. The current mixed-method study investigated associations between person-related variables (optimism, age, education level) and care-related variables (experiences with care, duration of support) as predictors of both social participation and quality of life through the mediator of self-mastery among clients of a Dutch shelter facility. Quantitative analysis (Structural Equation Modeling; n = 97) showed that: (1) Self-mastery is related to social participation and quality of life; (2) Optimism predicts social participation and quality of life through self-mastery; (3) Age squared predicts social participation through self-mastery, but is not related to quality of life; (4) The variable, clients’ experiences with care, is not related to self-mastery, but directly to social participation and quality of life; (5) Education level and duration of support do not predict self-mastery, social participation and quality of life. Qualitative analysis (semi-structured interviews; n = 36) revealed: (1) Contrary to the results of the quantitative study qualitative data indicated that there is a positive association between experiences with care and self-mastery; (2) Social participation and health are associated with self-mastery; (3) The absence of external locus of control should also be included as an aspect of self-mastery; (4) Additional promoting and impeding factors for self-mastery (e.g., a daily structure, privacy, house rules). Based on these results we formulated guidelines for social and mental health-care workers to enhance their clients’ self-mastery.
Description
The first author of the paper is, and second author of the paper was, employed by SMO Breda e.o., the shelter facility where the research was conducted. However, the management board of SMO Breda e.o. had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, nor in the content of the paper.
Date
2020
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Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
AGE, COHERENCE, EFFICACY, ESTEEM, HEALTH, Homelessness, LOCUS, Mixed-method study, OPTIMISM, PESSIMISM, Quality of life, SCALE, SENSE, Self-mastery, Social participation
Citation
Rutenfrans, M, Hanique, N, Van Regenmortel, M R F & Schalk, R 2020, 'The importance of self-mastery in enhancing quality of life and social participation of individuals experiencing homelessness : Results of a mixed-method study', Social Indicators Research, vol. 148, no. 2, pp. 491-515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-019-02211-y