The views of homeless people in Portugal on barriers to reintegration into the workforce

ABSTRACT

A sample of 202 Portuguese homeless male adults aged 22–64 was presented with 50 questions referring to reasons that could deter them from entering or re-entering the labor market. Through factor analysis, four factors were found: Unattractive Working Conditions (e.g. Companies offer jobs that are not interesting), Adhesion to Homelessness Culture (e.g. I have no reason to try to please anybody), Lack of Self-Confidence (e.g. I don’t believe in myself), and Habituation to Shelter (e.g. I can have everything I need from this institution). For 39%, mainly those participants who have experienced substance abuse problems, bad health, and conflict with the family in the past, working conditions were perceived as a strong barrier. For 27%, mainly people with a lower educational level, homeless culture was viewed as a strong barrier. Finally, for 21% and 6% respectively, perceived personal weaknesses, and habituation to current life in shelter home were additional barriers.

KEYWORDS:

• Homeless people
• labor market
• barriers
• Portugal

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Joana Neto

Joana Neto is a doctor of the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France. She conducts research on homeless people.

Etienne Mullet

Etienne Mullet is a member of Neto's research team