[fredpeters]

I disagree. There is some correlation but certainly not the only cause. Especially as there are many people who have not overcome their problems, and this will only exacerbate their attitude.

Many people who have had very troubling backgrounds are very troubled by very small things. My wife works with homeless people and they thrive on the small problems, not able to see the whole picture.

I think that it comes down more to 'control'. Control of their own lives and influence over it, with security and safety. People that have got over difficult situations do feel in control, but they are not the only ones. For example, people who challenge themselves.

[jacquesm]

Homeless people are in a class of their own, see the very long thread on homeless people who were given some money for a lot of key insights in to what is going on under water in that world.

I would not consider homeless people to be representative of the 'ordinary' people in society, that they behave aberrantly is probably expected rather than an exception.