A theory of taking care of oneself grounded in experiences of homeless youth.
BACKGROUND
Homeless adolescents are vulnerable to poor health outcomes owing to the dangerous and stressful environments in which they live. Despite their vulnerability, many of them are motivated to engage in self-care behaviors.


OBJECTIVE
The specific aim of this study was to explore self-care attitudes and behaviors of homeless adolescents.


METHODS
Individual interviews were conducted with 15 homeless adolescents. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.


RESULTS
Findings revealed a basic social process of taking care of oneself in a high-risk environment. This basic social process was supported by three categories: Becoming Aware of Oneself, Staying Alive With Limited Resources, and Handling One's Own Health, each including two processes.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings support Orem's conceptualizations of self-care and self-care agency and suggest the need for programs to support further healthy growth and development among homeless adolescents.
Rew
Lynn
L
The University of Texas at Austin, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701, USA. ellerew@mail.utexas.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011582:Psychological Theory; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D013781:Texas