Krabbenborg et al.
Abstract
Objective: To test the effectiveness of Houvast: a strengths-based intervention for homeless
young adults. Method: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 10 Dutch
shelter facilities randomly allocated to an intervention and a control group. Homeless young
adults were interviewed when entering the facility and when care ended. Repeated-
measures analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted by the principle of
intention-to-treat framework (N ¼ 251). Results: Improvements were demonstrated on quality
of life; satisfaction with family relations, finances, and health; employed or in school;
depression; care needs; autonomy; competence, and resilience in both conditions. A higher
proportion of homeless young adults who received care according to Houvast were still
receiving care at follow-up and successfully completed the trajectory compared to those who
received care as usual. Conclusion: Homeless young adults seem to benefit from service
provision in general. Further research on the effectiveness of Houvast is needed after
sufficient model fidelity has been achieved.
Prevalentie van het probleem: 9000 young adults zijn dakloos en 70% van hen zijn tussen de
18 en 23 jaar. Dit is 0.20% van de totale populatie volgens het CBS.
Wetenschappelijke relevantie: onderzoek naar de effectiviteit van interventies is schaars,
zeker niet met de strengths-based approach erin verwerkt.
Doel: de effecten van Houvast onderzoeken.
Kenmerken SBA
The strengths-based approach is characterized by a fundamental assumption that
homeless young adults have strengths, talents, and aspirations and that their
environments consist of resources and opportunities. The strengths model
emphasizes that the capacity for growth and recovery is an innate characteristic of
human beings. During a strengths-based trajectory, the young adult is the director of
his or her own recovery process and the focus is on achieving goals that homeless
young adult has set for themselves.
Hier is Houvast op gebaseerd.
Kenmerken POA
In contrast, a more commonly used policy is a problem-oriented approach. This is
characterized by paying attention to people’s problems and ineffective coping
abilities. Consequently, the cause of a problem is labeled (categorized) and a
treatment plan is devised to teach the young adult how to cope with behavioral
deficiencies. During a problem-focused trajectory, the goals are often driven by
service providers, because professionals are seen as knowing what is best for clients.
In addition to the strengths model, Houvast is based on theoretical and conceptual models,
namely, the concept of resilience, the self-determination theory, the concept of citizenship,
and the model of social quality. These theoretical concepts are important, because they
focus on social embedding of people in society, which guarantees a minimum level of quality
of life, as it refers to the fundamental social rights of citizens (citizenship). Furthermore, they
emphasize different aspects of social participation (social quality) and outcome measures
pertaining to positive functioning (resilience and self-determination), which are essential
elements of the Houvast intervention.
The current study investigated the effect of Houvast compared with care as usual on general
quality of life (primary outcome), functional and social outcomes, health outcomes, care
needs, and strengths outcomes.
Abstract
Objective: To test the effectiveness of Houvast: a strengths-based intervention for homeless
young adults. Method: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 10 Dutch
shelter facilities randomly allocated to an intervention and a control group. Homeless young
adults were interviewed when entering the facility and when care ended. Repeated-
measures analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted by the principle of
intention-to-treat framework (N ¼ 251). Results: Improvements were demonstrated on quality
of life; satisfaction with family relations, finances, and health; employed or in school;
depression; care needs; autonomy; competence, and resilience in both conditions. A higher
proportion of homeless young adults who received care according to Houvast were still
receiving care at follow-up and successfully completed the trajectory compared to those who
received care as usual. Conclusion: Homeless young adults seem to benefit from service
provision in general. Further research on the effectiveness of Houvast is needed after
sufficient model fidelity has been achieved.
Prevalentie van het probleem: 9000 young adults zijn dakloos en 70% van hen zijn tussen de
18 en 23 jaar. Dit is 0.20% van de totale populatie volgens het CBS.
Wetenschappelijke relevantie: onderzoek naar de effectiviteit van interventies is schaars,
zeker niet met de strengths-based approach erin verwerkt.
Doel: de effecten van Houvast onderzoeken.
Kenmerken SBA
The strengths-based approach is characterized by a fundamental assumption that
homeless young adults have strengths, talents, and aspirations and that their
environments consist of resources and opportunities. The strengths model
emphasizes that the capacity for growth and recovery is an innate characteristic of
human beings. During a strengths-based trajectory, the young adult is the director of
his or her own recovery process and the focus is on achieving goals that homeless
young adult has set for themselves.
Hier is Houvast op gebaseerd.
Kenmerken POA
In contrast, a more commonly used policy is a problem-oriented approach. This is
characterized by paying attention to people’s problems and ineffective coping
abilities. Consequently, the cause of a problem is labeled (categorized) and a
treatment plan is devised to teach the young adult how to cope with behavioral
deficiencies. During a problem-focused trajectory, the goals are often driven by
service providers, because professionals are seen as knowing what is best for clients.
In addition to the strengths model, Houvast is based on theoretical and conceptual models,
namely, the concept of resilience, the self-determination theory, the concept of citizenship,
and the model of social quality. These theoretical concepts are important, because they
focus on social embedding of people in society, which guarantees a minimum level of quality
of life, as it refers to the fundamental social rights of citizens (citizenship). Furthermore, they
emphasize different aspects of social participation (social quality) and outcome measures
pertaining to positive functioning (resilience and self-determination), which are essential
elements of the Houvast intervention.
The current study investigated the effect of Houvast compared with care as usual on general
quality of life (primary outcome), functional and social outcomes, health outcomes, care
needs, and strengths outcomes.
