271
Views
6
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Using WhatsApp for a homeless count

&
Pages 25-32 | Received 31 Jul 2016, Accepted 12 Jan 2017, Published online: 09 Feb 2017
 

ABSTRACT

The study analyses how the use of instant messaging (WhatsApp) alongside other ICT tools is adequate to complement the count of homeless people in an area. In particular, it describes the methodology used in order to organize the first official count of homeless people in Girona (Catalonia, Spain). Given that this is the first count of individuals experiencing homelessness in the city, it is difficult to say that it is an improvement, but it could be suggested that the app might make the future counts more efficient. Both professional and volunteers and homeless people used WhatsApp to send information. A total of 283 homeless people were detected. Results show that the usage of this application optimized the results of the count. 36.1% of the data were obtained online. Homeless people, who were reluctant to contact directly with the professional team, used WhatsApp to communicate with them, adding up to 19.4% of the data obtained. Results show how communication between homeless people and health and mental health services can be potentially improved with this type of application.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Fran Calvo is an Educational Psychologist, Social Educator, and a PhD student in Psychology. He is an Associated Professor at the University of Girona (Catalonia, Spain). He is a streetworker with persons living in a homeless or under drug abuse situation in the city of Girona (Mental health and drug abuse network, Institut d’Assistència Sanitària).

Xavier Carbonell has obtained his PhD in Psychology. He is a Full Professor at the Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona). Since 1985, he has been a clinical psychologist at a drug addicts center in the city of Barcelona (CAS Garbivent). His research interests focus on addictions to substances and the effects of digital technologies on behavior.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 381.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.