1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« Through an examination of their peer relationships and their goals, factors that have an established relationship with internalization and well-being, we hope to shed further light on street kids’ psychological reality. » (p. 1060)

Questions/Hypothèses :
« Hypothesis 1. There will be a positive relationship between the number of self-reported close relationships in street kids’ social networks and internalization (identified and introjected motivation) and subjective well-being. When a network of close relationships is present in a street kid’s life, this network will serve as a reference group that will foster internalization and will provide social support that will foster well-being. Hypothesis 2. Once street kids have articulated a personal project, the pursuit of that project - specifically, length of time thinking about the project, expectation of success, and goal progress - will all be positively related to internalized motivation and subjective well-being. When street kids are given the opportunity to specify an important goal, our findings will be consistent with self-determination theory, in that goal pursuit will be related to internalization and well-being. » (p. 1064)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’échantillon comprend 50 jeunes de la rue de Montréal.

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Research investigating homeless youth or, as they prefer, ’street kids’, has primarily described their dysfunction. In order to more thoroughly document their psychological reality and account for variability in their functioning, this study explored the close relationships and personal projects of 50 street kids. Self-determination theory provides a theoretical framework for hypotheses concerning the relationships that social networks and goals have with motivation and subjective well-being. The size of participants’ social networks was positively related to internalization and positive well-being. Goal pursuit was also positively related to internalization and positive well-being. These findings – along with descriptive information documenting street kids’ motivation, well-being, and family contact – afford us a view beyond their dysfunction, and elucidate factors associated with their optimal functioning. » (p. 1057)