The importance of self-mastery in enhancing quality of life and social participation of individuals experiencing homelessness: Results of a mixed-method study

Self-mastery plays a basic role in strength-based and recovery-oriented approaches applied by (mental) health-care institutions and social services. However, no research has been conducted on a comprehensive model that could provide insight into enhancing self-mastery and outcomes, such as social participation and quality of life, for individuals experiencing homelessness. The current mixed-method study investigated associations between person-related variables (optimism, age, education level) and care-related variables (experiences with care, duration of support) as predictors of both social participation and quality of life through the mediator of self-mastery among clients of a Dutch shelter facility. Quantitative analysis (Structural Equation Modeling; n = 97) showed that: (1) Self-mastery is related to social participation and quality of life; (2) Optimism predicts social participation and quality of life through self-mastery; (3) Age squared predicts social participation through self-mastery, but is not related to quality of life; (4) The variable, clients’ experiences with care, is not related to self-mastery, but directly to social participation and quality of life; (5) Education level and duration of support do not predict self-mastery, social participation and quality of life. Qualitative analysis (semi-structured interviews; n = 36) revealed: (1) Contrary to the results of the quantitative study qualitative data indicated that there is a positive association between experiences with care and self-mastery; (2) Social participation and health are associated with self-mastery; (3) The absence of external locus of control should also be included as an aspect of self-mastery; (4) Additional promoting and impeding factors for self-mastery (e.g., a daily structure, privacy, house rules). Based on these results we formulated guidelines for social and mental health-care workers to enhance their clients’ self-mastery.