Place-identity and homelessness : The restorative nature of the home

This research aims to address deficiencies in the Place-Identity literature and establish whether the home is a central and mediating environment within this theory. An exploration of the association between homelessness and Place-Identity provides a vehicle for clarifying the psychological role of the home and in doing so an increased awareness of this social problem is promoted. Korpela's (1989) and Kaplan's (1983) theories on place, accentuating active self-regulatory mechanisms and restorative environments, act as a catalyst and provide a solid foundation for this current research. The extensive literature on the home highlights the different conceptions that abound and the lack of consensus regarding the impact of this environment. The environmental psychology paradigm promotes an understanding of the mutuality between people and their environments and in line with this belief it is Sixsmith's (1986) model of the home emphasizing the complemenlarity of the physical, social and emotional components that is the most influential, raising questions as to whether privacy and socialization are central adaptive functions and whether the physical environment can create a means for them to be fostered. The accent of the research is placed on a comparative analysis between homeless and non-homeless youth aged between 12-20 living in Perth's inner and outer suburbs. A random sampling procedure was used to obtain the sample (40 homeless and 40 non-homeless). An exploratory study provided some Place-Identity and Homekssness xix veriHcation for the connection between Place-identity and homelessnes:; and directed the methodology. A structured interview format was used with the instrument for the main inquiry being devised through a collaborative process with input from the researcher, administrative personnel and homeless youth. Fndings consolidate the importance of Place-Identity theory and the role places potentially have in promoting a sense of self and in maintaining self-equilibrium. An appreciation of the perceptions held of the original and current home environments by the two groups (homeless/nonhomeless) suggests that it is the home that has the potential to contribute substantially to self identity. Links are made with Korpela (1989) and Kaplan (1983) demonstrating how the current home environment can reduce the impact of prior negative experiences in the original home. This finding stimulates the development and extrapolation of tentative models of Place-Identity clarifying the role of the home in creating a sense of self and maintaining self-equilibrium whilst emphasizing the importance of promoting active self-regulation particularly pertaining to privacy and socialization. The most salient feature being the way in which these two latter qualities are stimulated by the design of homes and how they impact on self-identity. From these models an appreciation of the role of the original home as a possible causative factor for homelessness is acknowledged and importantly suggestions as to how the current home can potentially 'break' the homeless cycle proposed. Place-Identity and Homelessness XX The ramifications of this research extend primarily into the areas of counselling and design with the information obtained being useful for youth workers, school counsellors, parents and all concerned with youth. There are also implications for designers and architects suggesting that more conducive environments emerge from a collaborative process which encourages a shared conception of place needs. Future research is needed to broaden an understanding of the homeless group by incorporating greater numbers to include a more extensive coverage of the three types of accomodation (short, medium and long term) and those 'on the streel•'. Developmental influences on PlaceIdentity are intimated and also warrant further investigation. This research stimulates questions about the influence of places throughout the various stages of life. It creates a foundation for determining how the physical environment can be restorative for other alienated groups in society such as those in prisons, hospitals and refuges. It also lends itself to an exploration of cultural influences such as Aborigina! ity and Place-Identity where such information might assist integration in a similar way as a knowledge of Place-Identity might for the homeless. It is hoped that this research might prove instrumental in impacting on policy related to accomodation services for the homeless, promote an increased understanding of this issue and lead to a continuing interest in the promotion of self-identity through the physical environment. Place-Identity and Homelessness 1 CHAPTER! Introduction to the Study Aims This study proposes that places are important in people's lives and that they contribute to a sense of self and self-equilibrium. The question of whether the home is a central and mediating environment in this process will be examined. Conflicting views currently exist regarding the significance of this environment. Ownership of a home seemingly typifies the Western ideal and in a time when many are reported homeless, efforts should be directed towards qualifying the psychological impact of the home. In line with this contention, the major aim of this research is to explore the environmental contribution to the issue of homelessness. Rationale The basic assumption is that relationships with places extend beyond meeting peripheral needs. The fact that people derive aesthetic and affective benefits from both person-made and natural environments is acknowledged (Ulrich, 1983). This conception of place is limited, however, as it does not address the mutuality between people and places. Places are not just mood eliciting but arguably central and critical aspects contributing to the quality of person's life. In identifying with places, people may come to know and accept themselves more readily. In fact, Proshansky (1983) suggests that intimate relationships with places may contribute to the development of self-identity and its later enhancement. Interestingly, it seems that places may additionally help people cope with adverse situations and that Place-Identity and Homelessness 2 negative experiences, leading to a diminished sense of self in one place, may be counteracted by a more conducive environment (Kaplan, 1983). Conceptual Framework An environmental psychology paradigm will be used and there are several distinguishing characteristics of this sub-discipline which are worth noting to consolidate the rationale. Environmental psychology: "recognizes the reciprocal relationships between people and their environments; adopts a holistic approach promoting the study of human behaviour and the environment as an integral unit, in the belief that if they were studied independently, a lot of valuable information would be lost; finally, it conducts research 'in-situ', in natural contexts" (Fisher, Bell & Baum, 1984, pp.5-7). In adopting these premises, environmental psychologists aim to be proactive in their work, understand environmental issues and endeavour to provide practical solutions. The value of such a pragmatic approach is encapsulated in studies related to the psychology of place where there is an emphasis on addressing the reciprocity between people and the environment. Not only have such studies contributed to an increased understanding of the relationship between people and places, but they have been instrumental in promoting change especially in terms of the resultant implications for participative planning and design (Canter, 1977). Place-Identity and Homelessness 3 Specific Aims · Address Gws in the Literature Specifically the study aims to explore the importance of the home in the lives of homeless and non-homeless youth, aged between 12-20, living in Perth's inner and ouh" suburbs. A comparative exploration of the original home (the one tl1ey last lived in with parents or guardians) and the current home is carried out to ascertain how the home contributes to a sense of self and self -equilibrium. The significance of the study becomes apparent when one considers gaps in both Place-Identity and the homeless literature and with an increased appreciation of homelessness as a pressing social issue. Despite extensive literature on both these topics, little is known about the place needs of youth and their psychological relationship with the physical form of the home. As a virtually unexplored domain, it warrants further attention and is congruent with the environmental paradigm. The focus on homeless youth is also critical and timely as homelessness is becoming one of the most visible and intractable social problems of the 1990s. Acknowledge Youth Homelessness as a Priority Research Area Worldwide the number of homeless people has rapidly increased and media coverage has given added exposure to those rendered destitute because of war, internal conflict, natural disasters and more recently as a dramatic consequence of economic decline. Public consciousness toward the problem has been raised by the sheer magnitude of the problem and the increased visibility of this population. The major factor contributing to Place-Identity and Homelessness 4 community support and concern is, however, the changing character of the homeless population revealing a greater social diversity and accentuating the sad plight of an increasing number of young people (Stefl in Bingham, Green & White, 1987, p.46; Burdekin, 1989, p.1). Affirmative action needs to be directed towards all homeless groups. This study, however, acknowledges youth as a priority with concern regarding their current living conditions and future implications. The profile of homeless youth depicted in several studies (Burdekin, 1989; Carmody, 1980) attests to the tragic lives they lead and highlights the various psychological and hoaltr problems they encounter. Many suffer from respiratory illnesses, others in