Explaining Life-Course Differences in Homeless Men Using Family-of-Origin Theory

Family-of-origin theory suggests that unstable functioning of the family of origin is related to the limited motivation to take advantage of educational and occupational opportunities. This study identifies latent classes of homeless adults’ perceptions of families of origin and compares their life-course patterns. Four latent classes were identified in a sample of 831 homeless men living in the Warsaw agglomeration, Poland: adult children of multi-problem non-nuclear families (10%), adult children of non-nuclear families with negatively attached relationships (10%), adult children of multi-problem nuclear families (29%), and adult children of well-functioning families (51%). Their reports were compared with those of a control group of 731 housed men. Consistent with the family-of-origin and resilience theories, homelessness in adult children of troubled families was more frequently preceded by controllable events, such as criminal activity, alcohol misuse, and violence, than by problems less or indirectly related to their own decisions, including disability, health difficulties, and long-term unemployment, which were more prevalent in adult children of well-functioning families. Despite the high disparities in school exclusion, no significant differences in first-job experience were observed across the latent classes. The level of functioning of the family of origin is likely to differentiate pathways to homelessness. The family-of-origin theory contributes to the aetiology of homelessness, which may have implications for primary prevention.