Children's perceptions of homelessness

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.