© 2003 Oxford University Press
Quality of Life Perception in Transitional Housing Demonstration Projects: An Examination of Psychosocial Impact
From the center for Urban Policy Research and the School of Social Work at Rutgers University.
Contact author: Michael J. Camasso, Rutgers University, School of Social Work, Bldg. 4088 Livingston Campus, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. E-mail: mcamasso{at}rci.rutgers.edu.
This study examines life quality perceptions and changes in these perceptions for a sample of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) women (N = 78) where homelessness led to their participation in publicly funded transitional housing. Questionnaires were administered to these women at three times: upon their entry into the program, 3 to 5 months after entry, and 3 to 5 months after graduation. Panel data were analyzed using static score and conditional change autoregressive models. Results of these analyses indicate that this type of serial crisis intervention program can change perceptions of life quality positively, with the change especially apparent among women with lower preprogram dissatisfaction levels. Findings are interpreted within the framework of system inertia proposed by James Coleman. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 3:99118 (2003)]
KEY WORDS: quality of life, homelessness, program intervention, change score analysis