Preliminary validation of the Attitudes Toward Homelessness Inventory

Abstract

This article includes four studies, which collectively provide preliminary validation for the 11-item Attitudes Toward Homelessness Inventory (ATHI). Study 1 established that the ATHI has a valid, four-factor structure when completed by college students. Study 2 replicated this factor structure in another sample of college students and also provided construct validity for the ATHI by showing that it was related in predicted ways with personality and other attitudinal variables. Study 3 replicated this factor structure and also revealed significant differences on the ATHI based on whether respondents had been previously homeless themselves. Finally, Study 4 provided predictive validity by showing that the ATHI could be used to gauge attitudinal change. Limitations, implications and suggestions for future applications of the ATHI were discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.