The Family Ties That Bind: Tangible, Instrumental, and Emotional Support Among Homeless Veterans

Abstract

The availability of adequate social support has been associated with a number of positive psychiatric and health outcomes among persons experiencing significant life challenges. While much research has demonstrated risk factors for homelessness among veterans, less attention has been paid to existing networks of natural support, particularly familial support, which may provide a safety net for veterans who might otherwise be homeless and may help those who are currently homeless exit from that condition. This chapter presents findings from a study of the social network characteristics of veterans entering the HUD-VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program in the 1990s. Multiple dimensions of social network structure and function were assessed among a sample of 1,438 veterans enrolled in one of the original 19 HUD-VASH sites nationwide. Network characteristics were examined as a function of the absolute availability of family and/or peers as sources of specific types of tangible, instrumental, and emotional (TIE) support. We then examined between-group differences and similarities on key demographic, clinical, community adjustment, and social variables based on the categorization of source of support. Finally, we compared social support indicators among HUD-VASH veterans to a sample of individuals with severe mental illness receiving mental health services in Connecticut. Similar to reports from studies of a more general sample of homeless individuals, our research found that the vast majority of homeless veterans in our sample identified at least one close person in their lives and that the number of social ties was inversely related to the length of time homeless. Veterans in our sample, however, reported rates of instrumental and emotional support that were 30–50 % higher than those reported among a more general sample of homeless individuals. Results further suggest that the availability of support from family members may be associated with more positive outcomes for these individuals. These findings may suggest critical areas for program development and future research.