International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience
Open Access

Abstract

Aporophobia, also known as aversion to the poor, represents a form of discrimination that poses significant challenges, resulting in profound consequences such as physical and psychological harm. This study outlines the development of an innovative tool designed for assessing the risk of aporophobia. The creation of the tool involved a comprehensive review of existing literature and the utilization of the Delphi methodology, combined with expert input. This work unveils the findings of the initial phase of the tool's design, which focuses on identifying victimization experiences endured by individuals living in extreme poverty or facing the risk of poverty due to discrimination or aversion. The initial stage encompassed a thorough bibliometric analysis aimed at pinpointing the risk factors inherent in aporophobic situations and the victimization of individuals subjected to discrimination or rejection based on their economic status. To construct this instrument for detecting aporophobic victimization, a structured judgment methodology, including the Delphi technique, was employed. This method involved a panel of 26 experts drawn from academia and professionals working with marginalized individuals facing social exclusion. Through iterative expert consensus-building, the panel meticulously identified the most pertinent variables for inclusion in the evolving detection instrument. These variables were categorized into individual, social, and relational dimensions, with a focus on identifying the environmental factors most conducive to aporophobia victimization. The panel of experts discerned key variables, such as substance use and potential undiagnosed mental health conditions in the realm of individual factors. Among social factors, a lack of community bonds and limited social engagement emerged as salient contributors. Finally, within the context of victim opportunity, the panel underscored routines like overnight stays on the streets or in enclosed public spaces among homeless individuals.

Biography

Professor and researcher at the University of Salamanca (Faculty of Psychology), she has combined her teaching career with her professional career, always linked to the organizational world and community intervention. Research lines: Entrepreneurship in disadvantaged collectives; Management and development of people in organizations; Organizational culture and work groups; Diversity management and social inclusion; Violence and psychosocial risks in organizational environments.