Public knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about homeless people: Evidence for compassion fatigue?

Abstract

Media reports suggest that the public is becoming impatient with the homeless--that so-called "compassion fatigue" has gripped the nation. This characterization of public sentiment could have important policy consequences-- restrictive measures can be justified by growing public impatience, and progressive housing policies seem feasible within a hostile climate of opinion. But evidence to support the compassion fatigue notion is anecdotal. We examine the issue by tracking the results of public opinion polls and by reporting detailed evidence from a nationwide random-digit dial telephone survey (N = 1,507) concerning knowledge attitudes and beliefs about homeless people. To be sure, the public sees homelessness as an undesirable social problem and wants something done about it. However, although the homeless are clearly stigmatized, there is little evidence to suggest that the public has lost compassion and is unwilling to support policies to help homeless people.

Homelessness in the United States: Assessing Changes in Prevalence and Public Opinion, 1993–2001

“…While these response rates may appear low, they are similar to those obtained by pollsters calling respondents at random in recent years (Council for Marketing and Opinion Research, 2003). There is some research, including studies using a very similar survey, that suggests that higher response rates obtained through persistent callbacks and other incentives may not significantly impact results as compared with less time-intensive administrations of the same survey (Langer, 2003;Link et al, 1994Link et al, , 1995. 3 All interviews were conducted anonymously.…”

The Effects of HIV Stigma on Health, Disclosure of HIV Status, and Risk Behavior of Homeless and Unstably Housed Persons Living with HIV

“…Some PLWHA, such as homeless PLWHA, may be particularly vulnerable to HIV stigma because they are viewed as ''responsible'' for their infection or experience multiple layers of stigma associated with other stigmatized personal characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or housing status (Dodds 2006;Emlet 2006;Fullilove and Fullilove 1999;Herek et al 2005;Herek and Glunt 1988;Herek and Capitanio 1999;Kang et al 2006;Reidpath and Chan 2005). In particular, homeless PLWHA may experience greater stigma than housed PLWHA because of the negative social status ascribed to those who are homeless, blame that is attributed to homeless persons for their lack of stable housing, reduced familial and other sources of social support to cope with stigma, and opposition to housing for homeless PLWHA in some communities (Link et al 1995;Takahasi 1999). Despite the likely prevalence and importance of HIV stigma among homeless and unstably housed PLWHA, there is a relative lack of research on this issue.…”

Educating the Public about Mental Illness and Homelessness: A Cautionary Note

“…At the same time, there has been a cor re spond ing surge in pub lic at ten tion paid to home less ness. Me dia at ten tion may, in turn, have in duced "com pas sion fa tigue" where an im pa tient pub lic may de mand more pu ni tive meas ures aimed at curb ing visi ble num bers of home less per sons (6). This re ac tion may have in ten si fied during North Ameri ca's re cent run of eco nomic pros per ity, as those who have fared well may find it harder to un der stand that, for some, eco nomic con di tions have wors ened.…”