The purpose of this study is to describe unique subgroups among homeless men based on variables representative of an individual's social margin (education, monthly income, job experience, locus of control, substance abuse, depression, history of family abuse); displacement (job and housing displacement); and ability to cope with responsibility (responsibility in housing, job, and health care markets). Henricks' theory of association/disassociation is the theoretical base for the study (1982). One hundred and three men from 4 homeless meal and shelter sites were interviewed for approximately 45 minutes between December, 1992, and December, 1993. Veit's eight item index measuring depression (1983), and Richards' 4 item index measuring the spiritual dimension of locus of control (1990) were used along with other researcher developed questions. The 14 variables were factor analyzed using principal components and an orthogonal rotation to create 6 factors: poor mental health history; faith in God, self, and others; lack of responsibility; subordination; and willingness to work. The factors are indicative of psychological, social, and cultural disassociation described by Henricks (1982). Six factor scores were calculated for each subject and submitted to a cluster analysis. A new typology is described based on the group means of the 6 factor scores. Seven unique subgroups are identified: poor mental health workers; displaced workers; dependents; alienated; independent socials; mentally ill; and loners. The levels of health, safety, belonging, and nutrition were assessed for the groups using 4 ANOVAS. Scheffe's multiple comparison test indicated significant differences in the level of health among three groups. Policy suggestions are related to the new typology and to the level of health.
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