Introducing Sensitivity to Justice as a Predictive Factor in Helping Behavior towards the Homeless: Understanding Who Helps and Why

This study investigated the relationship between sensitivity to justice and willingness to help the homeless. A paper and online survey was distributed to community centers and educational programs across the country (N = 276) to assess participants’ feelings and experiences regarding helping the homeless. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sensitivity to justice, empathy, education level and religiosity were all significantly associated to both expressed and actual willingness to help the homeless and this association was moderated by age and gender. Political affiliation and type of giving behavior did not appear associated with each other or with expressed or actual giving behavior towards the homeless. This information is helpful in understanding predictive factors in helping behavior that extend even to the most heavily stigmatized members of society.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Purvis, Jeanette

• Sensitivity to justice
• Helping behavior
• Stigma (Social psychology)
• Homelessness

Language dc:language

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/50906

OAI record oai:identifier

https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/dspace-oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Ascholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu%3A10125%2F50906