Mobile Phone Technology: A New Paradigm for the Prevention, Treatment, and Research of the Non-sheltered “Street” Homeless?

Abstract

Individuals experiencing homelessness have disproportionately high rates of health problems. Those who perceive themselves as having greater access to their social support networks have better physical and mental health outcomes as well as lower rates of victimization. Mobile phones offer a connection to others without the physical constraints of landlines and, therefore, may make communication (e.g., access to one's social support networks) more feasible for homeless individuals. This, in turn, could lead toward better health outcomes. This exploratory study examined mobile phone possession and use among a sample of 100 homeless men and women who do not use the shelter system in Philadelphia, PA. Interviews were comprised of the Homeless Supplement to the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, a technology module created for this investigation, and the substance use and psychiatric sections of the Addiction Severity Index. Almost half (44%) of the sample had a mobile phone. In the past 30 days, 100% of those with mobile phones placed or received a call, over half (61%) sent or received a text message, and one fifth (20%) accessed the Internet via their mobile phone. Participants possessed and used mobile phones to increase their sense of safety, responsibility (employment, stable housing, personal business, and sobriety or "clean time"), and social connectedness. Mobile phones could potentially be used by public health/health care providers to disseminate information to the street homeless, to enhance communication between the street homeless and providers, and to increase access for the street homeless to prevention, intervention, and aftercare services. Finally, this technology could also be used by researchers to collect data with this transient population.

Cell Phone Use among Homeless Youth: Potential for New Health Interventions and Research

“…We caution readers that these results come from a non-probability sample collected at one drop-in agency in Los Angeles, and should not be generalized to dissimilar settings. Second, as was the case with homeless adults, 6 there were not many socio-demographic differences in the backgrounds of persons who reported cell phone ownership relative to those who did not. An important exception was that more youth who reported staying in shelters or temporary housing also reported owning a cell phone relative to youth actively sleeping on the streets.…”

“…[2][3][4][5] Recent work among homeless adults has suggested that cell phone technology may present unique opportunities for working with transient populations. 6 As cell phones offer connections to others without the physical constraints of permanent dwellings, new communication patterns are feasible for homeless people, including access to social support, case management, and health professionals, which could in turn lead to improved health and behavioral health outcomes. 6 To date, no data has been reported on the use of cell phone technology among homeless youth, although recent data has shown that 85% of homeless youth get online at least once a week, that they access a wide spectrum of network ties, and that connecting to family and home-based friends was associated with improved sexual health outcomes.…”

“…6 As cell phones offer connections to others without the physical constraints of permanent dwellings, new communication patterns are feasible for homeless people, including access to social support, case management, and health professionals, which could in turn lead to improved health and behavioral health outcomes. 6 To date, no data has been reported on the use of cell phone technology among homeless youth, although recent data has shown that 85% of homeless youth get online at least once a week, that they access a wide spectrum of network ties, and that connecting to family and home-based friends was associated with improved sexual health outcomes. 7 Among housed youth, latest statistics from Pew Research Center 8 found 71% of teens (13 to17 years of age) and 93% of young adults (18 to 30 years of age) own cell phones.…”

How Feasible is Multiple Time Point Web-Based Data Collection with Individuals Experiencing Street Homelessness?

“…Their daytime activities may or may not be consistent, but they are linked to a nighttime location that research associates would likely feel safer visiting [14]. Additionally, those who have mobile phones often deplete their allotment of minutes/text messages, have difficulty keeping their phones charged, discontinue service for several days at a time, change phone numbers, or lose their phones [15,16]. Those staying overnight in shelters may not have access to their phones in the evening and nighttime hours [17].…”

“…Homeless populations have substantial access to information technologies, including mobile devices and computers [15,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. In adult homeless populations, mobile phone ownership ranges from 44 to 62%, recent computer use is reported to be 47%, and Internet use ranges from 19 to 84% [27].…”