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Personality and attachment in the homeless: A systematic review

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  • Andreia Neves Horácio
  • António Bento
  • João Gama Marques

Abstract

Background: Homeless people present high rates of psychopathology, including personality disorders. Given the link between personality disorders and attachment, and the potential importance of these two traits for understanding homeless populations. Aims: Our aim was to review all studies focusing on attachment and on the full assessment of personality disorders in the homeless. Method: Overall, 213 studies were screened through title and abstract. Of these, 63 articles were chosen for full-text assessment. Results: A total of 14 articles met eligibility criteria and were included in the present review. Six studies evaluated personality disorders and eight studies assessed attachment in the homeless. In general, reports suggested that personality disorders are highly common in the homeless, with frequencies ranging between 64% and 79% for any personality disorder. The most common personality diagnoses were paranoid (14%–74%), borderline (6%–62%), avoidant (14%–63%), and antisocial (4%–57%) personality disorders. Attachment reports differed in the methods used and presented diverse results and correlates. Even so, insecure types of attachment dominated in the homeless, accounting for 62% to 100% of the samples. Conclusions: The high prevalence of personality disorders and insecure types of attachment in the homeless may impact intervention strategies for these people. The available literature evaluating attachment and the full assessment of personality disorders in the homeless is scarce, which supports the need for more research on these two topics.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreia Neves Horácio & António Bento & João Gama Marques, 2023. "Personality and attachment in the homeless: A systematic review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(6), pages 1312-1326, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:6:p:1312-1326
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640231161201
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bassuk, E.L. & Rubin, L. & Lauriat, A.S., 1986. "Characteristics of sheltered homeless families," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 76(9), pages 1097-1101.
    2. repec:plo:pmed00:0050225 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Md Mahbub Hossain & Abida Sultana & Samia Tasnim & Qiping Fan & Ping Ma & E Lisako J McKyer & Neetu Purohit, 2020. "Prevalence of mental disorders among people who are homeless: An umbrella review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(6), pages 528-541, September.
    4. Koegel, P. & Melamid, E. & Burnam, M.A., 1995. "Childhood risk factors for homelessness among homeless adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 85(12), pages 1642-1649.
    5. Herman, D.B. & Susser, E.S. & Struening, E.L. & Link, B.L., 1997. "Adverse childhood experiences: Are they risk factors for adult homelessness?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 87(2), pages 249-255.
    6. Ferguson, Kristin M. & Bender, Kimberly & Thompson, Sanna J., 2015. "Gender, coping strategies, homelessness stressors, and income generation among homeless young adults in three cities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 47-55.
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    1. Luis Hualparuca-Olivera & Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez & Julio Torales & Cristian Ramos-Vera & Dayana Ramos-Campos & Luis Córdova-Gónzales & Elsa Vigo-Ayasta, 2025. "Culture and ICD-11 personality disorder: Implications for clinical practice across diverse ethnic groups," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 71(1), pages 25-54, February.
    2. Brett W. Robertson & Kirstin Dow & Julie Salinas & Susan L. Cutter, 2024. "Heat Risk Perceptions and Coping Strategies of the Unhoused," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. João Gama Marques & Daniela Chesi & Raquel Oliveira Coelho & Inês Castanheira Costa & Celso Santos Antão & Carlos Alberto Pedro & Paulo Silva Santos & José Xavier Diogo, 2024. "Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Engagement for Lisboa (HOPE 4 Lisboa): One year of marontology, and one John Doe living with Diogenes syndrome," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(1), pages 227-230, February.
    4. João Gama Marques, 2024. "In memoriam António Bento (1954–2023): Champion of the loveless homeless in Portugal, veteran member of Santé Mentale et Exclusion Sociale (SMES) in Europe," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(5), pages 1004-1005, August.

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