Mental health and homelessness: the role of self control

Abstract

Maladaptive functioning is commonly associated with poor self-control; however being overly controlled can be equally disadvantageous. One area of research that considers this distinction is the person-centred typological approach to personality based on a pioneering classification system developed by Block & Block (1980). This systematic review draws together research, in adult populations, that considers the utility of personality types based upon this conceptualisation. Three personality types have been largely replicated in both normal and clinical populations: resilients, overcontrollers and undercontrollers. These types show utility in predicting long-term functioning and mental health, understanding heterogeneous personalities within clinical subgroups, and have implications for treatment. Some disagreement on the number of personality types deemed replicable across samples and differing methodologies does exist, and some find a dimensional approach to personality to have greater predictive utility. A typological approach does however have clinical utility over dimensional-approaches in aiding communication and planning intervention. Limitations of the literature are discussed, and future directions considered.
Numerous population groups have not been considered in terms of their personality heterogeneity. On this basis, the empirical paper explored the personality characteristics of a sample of 91 homeless men and women. It was hypothesised that within this population both overcontrolled and undercontrolled personality styles would exist, which would be differentially associated with maladaptive behaviours known to contribute to tenancy breakdown. By use of self-report measures, the sample was shown to be more undercontrolled than overcontrolled. Undercontrol was significantly associated with a range of maladaptive behaviours; however overcontrol did not show the expected relationship with restrictive behaviours. Mediation analysis, using a bootstrap analysis, found self-control to mediate the relationship between impulsivity traits related to positive affect, and maladaptive behaviours. The clinical implications resulting from these findings are discussed.

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ORCID for Nick Maguire: orcid.org/0000-0003-4295-8068

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