Women's perspectives on homelessness.
An increase in the number of individuals who are homeless since the 1980s has made homelessness a major social, economic, and political problem in the United States. The number of homeless in this country is estimated as high as 3 million, with women and children constituting the fastest growing subgroup of this population. A study of eight homeless women using a shelter in a southeastern city was conducted to explore the experience of homelessness from the women's perspectives. A modified ethnographic approach using a semistructured interview provided qualitative data. The constant comparative method of analysis identified themes of heightened awareness, guarding, identification of needs, and strategies for resolution. This study provides a new understanding of how some women experience homelessness, as well as the responses they take to solve this problem.
Hodnicki
D R
DR
Georgia Southern University.
Horner
S D
SD
Boyle
J S
JS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011637:Public Health Nursing; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*