Joblessness and homelessness as precursors of health problems in formerly incarcerated African American men.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how joblessness and homelessness influence the health of men leaving prison.


METHODS
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 17 formerly incarcerated African American men. Participants were interviewed for 1-2 hours in a private setting. Data were collected over 3 months in late 2001.


METHODS
Questions were focused on the experiences of participants during incarceration and after release from prison. Discourse analysis was used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
Findings related to unemployment included, (a) being incarcerated was associated with decreased types of employment available after release from prison, (b) a history of incarceration altered how participants were able to conduct job searches, and (c) men who did well after release were those who were self-employed. Findings related to homelessness showed that barriers in either systems or relationships interfered with finding homes.


CONCLUSIONS
If formerly incarcerated African American men are to reenter society in meaningful ways, steady, living-wage employment and a stable living environment are needed for these men to be able to successfully reintegrate into both families and the larger society, and to avoid conditions that are precursors of health problems.
Cooke
Cheryl L
CL
Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, Box 357262, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. clcooke@u.washington.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data