Homelessness and strategies of identity maintenance: A participant observation study

In order to investigate identity maintenance strategies used by a low statu s group, a covert participant observation study was conducted in a shelter for the homeless. From Social Identity Theory and previous research on the homeless, it was hypothesized that the identity maintenance strategies used would differ as a function of longevity of homelessness: the shortterm hom eless (<2 years) would be less likely to identify themselves as homeless (s ocial mobility), while the longer-term homeless (>2 years) would identify t hemselves as homeless but engage in various types of social creativity to m itigate their situation. In addition to the strategies described in SIT, it was conjectured that some of the longest-term homeless would have given up making any intergroup or other social comparisons; Of the various strategi es found, some were beyond SIT. The pattern of strategy use was best interp reted mainly as a function of longevity of homelessness, but this was moder ated by both experience and personality. A trajectory of change in identity strategies with longevity of homelessness was offered as a plausible frame of reference for further research. Methodological limitations, implication s for Social Identity Theory and recommendations for improving the situatio n of the homeless were discussed. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd .