Appraisal of social interaction and social motivation in homeless-experienced veterans: An ecological momentary assessment study.

OBJECTIVE

Initiatives developed by the Department of Veteran Affairs have reduced Veteran homelessness, but homeless-experienced veterans (HEVs) still face social integration challenges, such as reduced social interactions. Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment provides a valuable way to remotely gather data on these challenges in HEVs' daily lives. Social interactions are part of a behavioral sequence, involving a social interaction, its appraisal (pleasant/successful vs. unpleasant/unsuccessful), and subsequent motivation for future social interaction. Motivation can be in the form of social approach (e.g., drive to initiative contact with others) or social avoidance (e.g., avoiding interaction due to fear of failure).

METHODS

Ecological momentary assessment was used to sample positive and negative social appraisals, social motivation (approach and avoidance), and social interactions (frequency and time spent with others) multiple times daily over a week in 28 HEVs with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. Data were analyzed for concurrent (same day) and prospective (subsequent day) relationships.

RESULTS

Positive social appraisals were linked to social approach motivation, while negative social appraisals were linked to social avoidance motivation on the same day. Social approach motivation was associated with more social interactions, more time with others, and less time at home on the same day. Additionally, social approach motivation predicted the number of social interactions the next day.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

These findings suggest a pathway from social appraisals to motivation for social interactions, implicating potential targets for psychosocial interventions for social integration in HEVs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).