Deviance over the Life Course: The Case of Homeless Substance Abusers

Abstract

Characteristics of the homeless population highlight current and emerging social problems in America. It is estimated there are two to three million homeless people in the United States and that between 20% and 80% have substance abuse problems. In this paper I apply Hirschi's social bond theory to a qualitative study of 31 male homeless substance users from New Haven, Connecticut. I interviewed each man once in 1992 and a second time during 1993. The interview data provide evidence of non-normative attachments to families, friends, and institutions where there is little commitment to conventional goals. I conclude that for these men, being homeless and abusing substances is normative to their lives.

• Homelessness substance abusers
• Social bond
• Social capital
• At-risk
• Life-course
• Social control

Notes

^aThe life history study sample included 31 interviewees because my original goal was to complete 30 interviews in a year (one every two weeks) and track that cohort. I over sampled by one due to fear of attrition during the interval year.

^bFor a complete description of tracking and follow-up see Hartwell ([1995]) or (1998)

^cThe men were familiar with me from my volunteer work in the shelter system the previous three years. I also stayed in close contact with informants and the men I was tracking over the interval year.

^dThe coding process was checked for reliability on a sample of interviews by the director of the NIAAA research project, Dr. Julie Lam

^eFor a complete description of the men's work and employment patterns see Hartwell [1999] and [2000]

^fFor a complete description of the men's experience and perceptions about substance abuse treatment see Hartwell [1998]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stephanie Hartwell

Stephanie W. Hartwell, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and the Director of Graduate Certificate Program in Forensic Services at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed her doctorate in sociology at Yale University in 1995, and worked at the University of Connecticut's Medical School at the Alcohol Research Center in the Department of Psychiatry from 1995 until she joined the Department of Sociology at UMass Boston in 1997. She conducts research on vulnerable populations living in the community and publishes in the areas of substance abuse, homelessness, and mental illness.