Profiling perceived intersectional discrimination in people experiencing homelessness in Spain: A cluster analysis.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the discrimination perceived by people experiencing homelessness, from an intersectional approach. Distinct profiles were identified using cluster analysis to examine the intersections among the different vulnerabilities faced by this population, considering factors associated with situations of greater social disadvantage, such as origin, race/ethnicity, disability, substance abuse, and more complex homelessness trajectories. The sample consisted of 355 people experiencing homelessness in Madrid (Spain). The sample of men was representative of the population experiencing homelessness in the city, while women were intentionally overrepresented to ensure a gender perspective. The result of the cluster analysis was the identification of three profiles, each with a specific trajectory. The subgroup that reported the most discriminatory experiences was characterized by Spanish-born White individuals with disabilities, a history of substance abuse, and long-term homelessness. The two remaining subgroups, one characterized by migrant and racialized individuals without associated complications, and the other by White and Spanish-born individuals with a history of alcohol abuse, both perceived lower levels of discrimination and experienced shorter durations of homelessness. Expanding the knowledge about how different vulnerabilities interact and lead to specific hardships can help improve preventive and intervention actions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).