A qualitative exploration of women's resilience in the face of homelessness

Phipps, Monique; Dalton, Lisa; Maxwell, Hazel; Cleary, Michelle

doi:10.1002/jcop.22574

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…The results have exposed a number of client-level, provider-level and system-level barriers to accessing good care. Although most of the identified barriers in this study are similar to studies that have been undertaken in an urban context [ 39 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 57 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ], three identified barriers were uniquely regional: the scarcity of GPs who bulk-bill (provide free services), the impact of lack of transport, and low literacy rates.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 50%

“…This of course has particular significance in a regional context. Although identified in studies undertaken in Europe [ 96 ], Canada [ 45 ] and America [ 43 , 45 , 88 , 90 , 91 ], this barrier was discussed primarily in relation to the financial burden of paying for transportation, with few studies [ 43 , 44 , 45 ] specifically investigating the lack of suitable public transportation options, which was raised as a relevant barrier in this study. Moreover, only one study [ 45 ] was undertaken in a regional location.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Health Needs of Regionally Based Individuals Who Experience Homelessness: Perspectives of Service Providers

Bennett-Daly

Maxwell

Bridgman

2022

IJERPH

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The bidirectional relationship between homelessness and poor health and the barriers that individuals who experience homelessness face when trying to access healthcare are well documented. There is, however, little Australian research exploring the situation of individuals who experience homelessness in regional contexts and, moreover, from the perspective of service providers. A qualitative descriptive methodology underpinned this study, with in-depth semi-structured interviews being conducted with 11 service providers to identify barriers to care faced by people who experience homelessness and barriers that service providers themselves experience in supporting this population. The key barriers identified were client-level barriers: living day-by-day, financial, health literacy, mental health conditions, behaviour, safety and stigma; provider-level barriers: few bulk-billing doctors, fragmented services, limited resources, negative past experiences with healthcare; and system level barriers: transportation, over-stretched healthcare services. The combined impact of these barriers has significantly contributed to the desperate situation of people experiencing homelessness in Launceston. This situation is likely replicated in other regional populations in Australia. Given that individuals experiencing homelessness have higher rates of every measure in health inequality, steps need to be taken to reduce barriers, and a standardised approach to health care urgently needs to be implemented by governments at the state and national level to improve the health of regionally based individuals experiencing homelessness.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 50%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Health Needs of Regionally Based Individuals Who Experience Homelessness: Perspectives of Service Providers

Bennett-Daly

Maxwell

Bridgman

2022

IJERPH

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“…Strengths-based, trauma-informed research approaches [18], such as Photovoice, minimize power imbalances between researchers and homeless and unstably housed women, respect their autonomy, and amplify their voices to advocate their needs [54]. Such practices should be standard, given the gendered vulnerability to trauma exposure evident among women who experience homelessness [11].…”

Section: Implications For Policy and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Using Photovoice to Explore Determinants of Health among Homeless and Unstably Housed Women

Mackelprang,

Graves,

Schulz

2024

IJERPH

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The lived experiences of homeless and unstably housed women, including their health-related priorities, are understudied in smaller metropolitan and rural communities. In this study, we partnered with a day center for women who experience homelessness in Spokane, Washington. We used Photovoice, a community-based participatory action research method, to explore the health-related concerns, needs, and behavior of women who are homeless or unstably housed. Participant-generated photographs and group interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes were generated: “These are my supports”, “I’m trying to make my health better”, and “[My] choices are very limited”. The themes illustrated individual, interpersonal, community, and societal strengths and vulnerabilities aligned with the social ecological model. Participants demonstrated resourcefulness, creativity, and hope as they strived toward health improvement. Trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches that respect the autonomy of homeless and unstably housed women and that amplify their voices are needed to minimize power imbalances in research, policy, and practice. This includes an imperative for healthcare and social work programs to ready graduates to deliver effective, empathic services by increasing their knowledge of social determinants of health and of the stigma faced by marginalized communities. Moreover, collaborating with these communities when designing, implementing, and evaluating services is critical.

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“…The findings are part of a study investigating women's unique experience of becoming, being and exiting homelessness using a strengths‐based theoretical framework with the underlying premise that women are competent and autonomous in their transition through all stages of homelessness (Phipps et al., 2021a). A companion paper discusses women's resilience during the period of becoming and being homelessness (Phipps et al., 2021b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

More than a house: Women’s recovery from homelessness in Australia

Phipps

Dalton

Maxwell

et al. 2021

Health Social Care Comm

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Recovery from homelessness for women is often a long, complex and highly individualised journey. This study investigated women's experiences of exiting homelessness and examined the factors that influenced recovery. The qualitative interpretive study involved auto‐driven photo elicitation and in‐depth interviews with 11 women who had previously been homeless. It took place in Australia between August 2018 and August 2019. Women took photographs that represented their experiences of exiting homelessness to guide discussion during interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that recovery from homelessness involves more than becoming housed. Recovery from homelessness is the overarching theme being presented, described using five subthemes: Finding the right house, Making a house a home, Connection, Building confidence and Helping others. Housing was only the starting point for recovery from homelessness for women. The women drew on their own self determination to create factors necessary for recovery from the experience of homelessness. We conclude that ongoing support is necessary to empower and assist women recovering from the traumatic experiences of homelessness. Trauma‐informed care offers service providers a framework for supporting women who have lived through homelessness. Services can draw on this framework to provide support beyond the point of securing a house and assist women to create a home environment, build confidence in themselves and form connections to their community as they transition out of homelessness.

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A qualitative exploration of women's resilience in the face of homelessness

Cited by 7 publications

References 62 publications

The Health Needs of Regionally Based Individuals Who Experience Homelessness: Perspectives of Service Providers

The Health Needs of Regionally Based Individuals Who Experience Homelessness: Perspectives of Service Providers

Using Photovoice to Explore Determinants of Health among Homeless and Unstably Housed Women

More than a house: Women’s recovery from homelessness in Australia

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