Mothers experiencing homelessness

Mental health, support and social care needs

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12290347
AutoresVictoria Tischler (0000-0002-0086-1906, University of Nottingham, autor correspondente), Alison Rademeyer (University of Nottingham), Panos Vostanis (0000-0001-9217-0805, University of Leicester)
Ano2006
Volume15
Fascículo3
Páginas246-253
Data de publicação2006-12-06
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1365-2524.2006.00678.x
PMID17444988
OpenAlexW1738607406
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas47
Referências citadas30

Little is known about the experiences of mothers who become homeless. The numbers of women with children in this situation are growing, most becoming homeless following domestic or neighbour abuse, or the breakdown of family relationships. This qualitative study aimed to describe mothers' experiences of homelessness in relation to their mental health, support and social care needs. Twenty-eight homeless women with dependent children residing in hostels were interviewed. The experience of homelessness was stressful, but viewed as a respite for many of the participants because they had experienced violence and harassment prior to their stay in the hostels. Many described poor mental health, which they related to the conditions in hostels and traumas that they had experienced before becoming homeless. Their experiences and perceptions of the services available were mixed. Some valued the support offered by staff and other residents, but the majority felt that there was a lack of resources to address their needs. Many women had difficulty coping with homelessness, and several said that support from other homeless women was an important source of help. Services need to work together to meet the multiple health, social, psychological and housing needs of these women

Harassment · Mental health · Perception · Psychiatry · Respite care · Social support · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Homelessness and Social Issues · Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work