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1. Norms of Fairness and Generosity Among People Experiencing Homelessness: A Dictator Game Field Experiment

   https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2023.3.16987  

   Anderson, Mary-Catherine; Hazel, Ashley; Perkins, Jessica; Almquist, Zack (June 2023, International Journal on Homelessness)

   Society often ascribes negative stereotypes to people experiencing homelessness. However, people experiencing homelessness have been found to display highly nuanced social behaviors. We employ a field dictator game to examine prosocial behavior among 173 unhoused individuals in Nashville, TN. We test whether an unhoused population displays ingroup bias, wherein they are more generous toward other people experiencing homelessness (the hypothesized ingroup) than people not experiencing homelessness (the hypothesized out-group). Additionally, we explore relationships between sociodemographic and personal characteristics (social support, perceptions of deservedness/generosity) and dictator game behavior. We did not observe ingroup bias. However, on average, participants allocated 29% of their game endowment to recipients, consistent with cross-cultural dictator game studies. We found that the duration of homelessness, social support, and gender were associated with dictator game allocations. Additionally, people experiencing homelessness were more generous when they perceived other unhoused individuals would be more generous and deserving. 

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2. Understanding service navigation pathways and service experiences among homeless populations

   https://doi.org/10.1177/14733250221114477  

   Lee, Eunwoo; Lee, Wonhyung; Duncan, Stephanie (July 2022, Qualitative Social Work)

   Previous homelessness research examined common pathways into homelessness, yet not much is known about how people navigate through services while experiencing homelessness. This study explored the service pathways of homeless individuals in the U.S. context, which show their connection with multiple organizations and their lived experiences of using services over time. We conducted 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews to grasp the history of service pathways, including the number of organizations, time gaps between services, and referral patterns. We also conducted participant observation shadowing with a subset of the study participants to understand how they interact with caseworkers. The length of service pathways varied, from less than five years to more than two decades. On average, participants went through at least three and up to eight organizations. Regarding service experiences, systemic- and individual-level themes were drawn for negative or positive experiences, such as strict organizational policies and the caseworker’s demeaning attitudes (negative), or supportive organizational culture and strong employee competencies (positive). The findings of this study provide deeper insights into homeless populations’ service trajectories and their experiences throughout the service-navigating process. 

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3. Economic system justification predicts muted emotional responses to inequality

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-14193-z  

   Goudarzi, Shahrzad; Pliskin, Ruthie; Jost, John T.; Knowles, Eric D. (January 2020, Nature Communications)

   Abstract Although humans display inequality aversion, many people appear to be untroubled by widespread economic disparities. We suggest that such indifference is partly attributable to a belief in the fairness of the capitalist system. Here we report six studies showing that economic ideology predicts self-reported and physiological responses to inequality. In Studies 1 and 2, participants who regard the economic system as justified, compared with those who do not, report feeling less negative emotion after watching videos depicting homelessness. In Studies 3–5, economic system justifiers exhibit low levels of negative affect, as indexed by activation of the corrugator supercilii muscle, and autonomic arousal, as indexed by skin conductance, while viewing people experiencing homelessness. In Study 6, which employs experience-sampling methodology, everyday exposure to rich and poor people elicits less negative emotion among system justifiers. These results provide the strongest evidence to date that system-justifying beliefs diminish aversion to inequality in economic contexts. 

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4. Dementia and mild cognitive impairment screening in an emergency homeless shelter

   https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13763  

   Ross, Heather M; Dzenga, Primrose; Myers, Martha; Squires, Alisa; Duncan, Stephanie; Caradine, Jamilyn; Scharf, Phillip; Bowman, Diana M (May 2024, Alzheimer's & Dementia)

   Abstract INTRODUCTIONOlder adults represent the fastest growing segment of the homeless community. Little is known about the prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in this population. METHODSDementia and MCI screening using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was incorporated into the standard senior evaluation for adult clients aged ≥ 55 in a large emergency homeless shelter. RESULTSIn a 6‐week period, 104 of 112 (92.9%) assessments were positive for dementia or MCI using a standard cutoff of 26, and 81 (72.3%) were positive using a conservative cutoff of 23. There was no significant difference in MoCA scores based on sex or education level, and no significant correlation between age and MoCA score. DISCUSSIONOlder adults experiencing homelessness may have a high likelihood of dementia or MCI. Routine MoCA screening in older adults experiencing homelessness is feasible and can help to identify services needed to successfully exit homelessness. 

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5. Drought experiment on aquatic vertebrate populations in McRae Creek, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, 2022

   https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/75ff37f814062249c02f27173e0efdce  

   Maffia, Madelyn; Swartz, Allison; Warren, Dana Richard; Segura, Catalina (January 2024, Environmental Data Initiative)

   {"Abstract":["Three distinct reaches in McRae Creek west tributary (MCTW) within the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in western Oregon were designated for manipulation and data collection. Manipulations included increasing the temperature (T), reducing streamflow (Q), and a reference (R reach). Population estimates of vertebrates, specifically Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Coastal Giant Salamander, were obtained using three-pass depletion methods in each reach. A Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) design was implemented, distinguishing between the "Before" and "After" periods. "Before" surveys were conducted from July 18th to 20th, 2022, while "After" surveys occurred from September 8th to 9th, 2022. During the surveys, each species was identified, noting life stage, and relevant measurements were taken. For trout, these included the length from the snout to the tail fork (Length_Fork_Vent), the snout to the tail (Length_Tail), and weight. In the "Before" survey, all trout were tagged with elastomer tags: red for the T reach, yellow for the Q reach, and orange for the R reach. Trout larger than 80 mm also received PIT tags in their abdominal cavities. Salamanders were measured similarly, not elastomer or PIT tags were applied. During the "After" survey, no new elastomer or PIT tags were inserted; only previously tagged fish were recorded. Additionally, stream cross-sections were surveyed every 5 meters to document stream dimensions. Recorded data included the location, reach, sample date, BACI status, and distance downstream from the upstream cross-section (0 meters). Measurements at each cross-section included wetted width, bankfull width, and depths at five evenly spaced points. Furthermore, pools were identified and measured in each reach, noting the maximum pool depth, depth at the outflow, width, and length. Temperature sensors were installed in each reach, recording stream temperature every 15 minutes. Sensor locations were recorded as the distance downstream from the top of each reach."]} 

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