The Phenomenon of Vagrancy from the Perspective of Psychosocial Theory of Development: Origins, Nature and Prevention Guidelines

Abstract

The paper addresses the issue of vagrancy as a social psychological phenomenon determined by personality deviations. It clarifies the conceptual relationship between the notions of 'vagrancy/homelessness' commonly used in practice-oriented research. As it is revealed, vagrancy as a social psychological phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of one's dysfunctional resolution of the basic conflicts of psychosocial development in the early stages of the epigenetic cycle. The paper also outlines the key tasks for practicing psychologists faced with the challenge of vagrancy prevention.