Preserving and Protecting Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy among Homeless Men

• In Event: 447 - Section on Social Psychology Roundtable Session (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 05. Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem

Abstract

This study uses data derived from 287 men living in downtown Atlanta to investigate how they maintain their self-concept while confronting the daily challenges of poverty and the stigma of homelessness. We develop two hypotheses: (1) that positive homeless identity meanings support more positive self-conceptions; and (2) reductions in the salience and centrality attributed to the homeless identity will increase self-conceptions. In full support of the first hypothesis, we found that positive identity meaning did exert a positive effect on self-esteem and self-efficacy. In partial support of the second hypothesis, both homeless identity salience and centrality exerted a negative effect on self-efficacy, but only homeless identity centrality influenced self-esteem.

Authors

• Josie Leigh Parker, Georgia State University

• Donald C. Reitzes, Georgia State University