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Growth through participation: A longitudinal study of a participation-based intervention for (formerly) homeless people
Rutenfrans,M. Schalk,R. Van Regenmortel,T.
Rutenfrans,M.
Schalk,R.
Van Regenmortel,T.
Abstract
The current longitudinal study examined a participation-based intervention for homeless and formerly homeless clients, growth through participation (GTP), developed by a Dutch organization providing shelter services and ambulatory care. GTP is based on a combination of group and individual approaches, whereby clients are enabled to learn to identify their strengths and talents, to develop social skills through interaction with each other, and to learn to once more lead a structured life. The study was conducted among 172 (formerly) homeless clients and comprised three measurement time points. It examined whether (1) quality of life increased during the GTP intervention; (2) social participation (e.g., labor/recreation), self-esteem, clients’ experiences with care (i.e., satisfaction with the services received and with the client–worker relationship), and psychological distress improved during GTP; (3) clients exhibiting psychological distress benefit more from GTP than others. Results from latent growth modeling showed that quality of life and the amount of time clients spent on labor activities increased significantly, but the amount of time clients spent on recreational activities decreased over time. Clients with psychological distress experienced increased quality of life and self-esteem, and reduced psychological distress. Other variables did not significantly change during GTP. Although not all hypotheses were (fully) confirmed, it can be concluded that GTP seems to be a potentially promising intervention. It is recommendable to conduct a multisite RCT to determine the efficacy of GTP.
Description
We disclose a potential conflict of interest: the first author (MRS) of the article is employed by SMO Breda, the shelter facility where the research is conducted. Additionally, regarding funding, SMO Breda is one of the sponsors of the “Stichting Sociaal Werk” which provides funds for the Academic Workplace Social Work at Tranzo, Tilburg University. However, the employment and funder had no influence on the outcomes, because the management board of SMO Breda and the “Stichting Sociaal Werk” had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, or in the content of the article. Furthermore, the employment conditions of the first author are fully independent of the content and publication of the current article. The second (RS) and third authors (TVR) do not have a direct relationship with SMO Breda and they supervised and monitored the accuracy of data analysis, interpretation of data, and the content of the article.
Date
2020
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Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
FIT, Homelessness, MISSING DATA, PROGRAM, SUPPORT, WORK ENGAGEMENT, enabling niche, intervention, psychological distress, social participation
Citation
Rutenfrans, M, Schalk, R & Van Regenmortel, T 2020, 'Growth through participation : A longitudinal study of a participation-based intervention for (formerly) homeless people', Journal of Social Service Research, vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 597-612. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2018.1555111