Homeless Persons' Interest in Basic and Health Services: The Role of Absolute, Relative, and Repressed Needs

Authors

Russell K. Schutt, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Abstract

This study describes and explains the interest of homeless persons in housing, economic, and health-related services with intake interview data collected by a large urban shelter for single adults. Shelter guests were most interested in assistance with housing, job, and economic benefits, rather than health services. Three explanations of variation in service interests are identified: the "absolute needs" explanation expects service interests to vary directly with service needs, the "repressed needs" explanation expects service interests to vary inversely with alcoholism and mental illness, while the "relative needs" explanation expects interest in health-related services to be related to health needs, but only after basic needs are satisfied. The "absolute needs" explanation receives the strongest support.

Recommended Citation

Schutt, Russell K. (1992) "Homeless Persons' Interest in Basic and Health Services: The Role of Absolute, Relative, and Repressed Needs," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 19: Iss. 4, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2050
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol19/iss4/13