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Case studies of bibliotherapy with homeless children
Insights
Bibliotherapy effectively addresses mental health challenges in homeless children. This approach uses therapeutic stories to help children navigate themes of homelessness, promoting emotional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Mental Health Nursing
- Social Work
Background:
- Homeless children face increased risks for mental health issues.
- Bibliotherapy offers a potential intervention for this vulnerable population.
- Understanding the unique experiences of homeless children is crucial for effective support.
Observation:
- A case study explored bibliotherapy with three homeless children.
- Data collection included drawings, audiotapes, and clinical records.
- The study identified four key themes related to their experiences: 'Longing for Affluence,' 'Escaping Violence,' 'Shame and Stigma,' and 'Making Transitions.'
Findings:
- Therapeutic stories were tailored to address individual child issues and emergent themes.
- Bibliotherapy facilitated exploration and processing of complex emotions associated with homelessness.
- The selected stories resonated with the children's lived experiences, aiding therapeutic engagement.
Implications:
- Psychiatric mental health nurses can utilize bibliotherapy as a valuable tool.
- This intervention can support homeless children in coping with trauma and instability.
- Further research is warranted to expand bibliotherapy's application in diverse homeless settings.
Abstract:
Children who experience homelessness constitute a growing population at-risk for developing mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the use of bibliotherapy with homeless children. A case study method of inquiry was used with drawings, audiotapes and clinical records from a convenience sample of three children living in a transitional homeless shelter. Four themes of homelessness emerged from the case studies. These were labelled "Longing for Affluence," "Escaping Violence," "Shame and Stigma," and "Making Transitions." Therapeutic stories were selected in response to the emergence of each child's own issues and the theme issues. Implications for psychiatric mental health nurses are discussed.