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Published on: May 3, 2016
Children's perceptions of homelessness
Pediatric Nursing
|May 25, 2002
Summary
Homeless school-aged children shared their experiences, revealing themes like denial of homelessness and the challenges of shelter living. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Sociology of Homelessness
- Pediatric Nursing
Background:
- Homelessness significantly impacts children's well-being and development.
- Limited research captures the lived experiences of school-aged children experiencing homelessness.
- Understanding children's perspectives is vital for effective support interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe the experiences of homelessness from the unique perspective of school-aged children.
- To identify key themes that emerge from children's narratives about their lives in shelters.
- To inform healthcare professionals on providing better care to children experiencing homelessness.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing interviews with a convenience sample of 14 school-aged children.
- Children resided in a shelter at the time of data collection.
- Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns in the children's accounts.
Main Results:
- Five prominent themes emerged: 'I am not homeless,' 'I like living in a shelter sometimes,' 'living in a shelter is hard,' 'stop the violence,' and 'I need approval.'
- Children expressed complex emotions, including denial, adaptation, and a desire for normalcy and safety.
- Vivid details illustrated the children's resilience and the significant challenges they face.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the critical need to acknowledge and validate children's experiences of homelessness.
- Healthcare providers, including nurses, can use this understanding to offer more sensitive and effective care.
- Addressing the identified themes can guide the development of targeted support services for homeless children and their families.
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