Willing To Help? Understanding Prosocial Intentions Toward Homelessness in Italy

Homelessness is a complex and multidimensional social issue that continues to affect millions of individuals across Europe. While much of the existing research on this topic originates from the United States, interest and empirical work within the European context have been steadily increasing. This thesis explores the willingness of Italian citizens to engage in prosocial actions that contribute to reducing homelessness, with a focus on identifying the key antecedents that may shape such intentions. Based on data from a questionnaire developed within the EU-funded Homelessness as Unfairness (HOME_EU) project, the study examines the relationship between prosocial intentions toward homeless people and a range of individual and socio-cognitive factors: social class (measured through educational level), personal and familial experience, perceived exposure to homeless individuals in daily life, and beliefs about the causes of homelessness. Using a regression model, the research seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of what drives prosocial intentions to help mitigate homelessness in the Italian context, offering contributions to the theoretical understanding of prosocial intentions on social issues and to broader reflections on how homelessness is perceived and addressed.