Experiences of Former Street Involved Youth Living in Housing: Contributors, Themes, and Factors

• Author / Creator

  Gould, Jennifer

• Little attention in research has been paid to post-homeless trajectories among former street involved youth (SIY), despite previous studies having revealed fragile housing stability post-homelessness. It is important to understand how former SIY are able to cope with life post-homelessness and sustain their housing, so as to prevent reengagement with street life. This dissertation presents results from a qualitative study that explored the central research question, “What are the lived experiences of former SIY living in stable housing?” Particular attention was given to experiences of personal resilience, especially as related to adversities post-homelessness, general housing experiences, and perceptions of present and future housing sustainability. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 former SIY between the ages of 20 and 25 years. Length of time in stable housing without any periods of homelessness ranged from 10 months to 5 years. Data were analyzed within the framework of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themes emerged from the data. The first theme, coping strategies, was characterized by cognitive and behavioural strategies, environmental strategies, and therapeutic- and substance-related strategies. The second theme, benefits of housing, was characterized by emotional and cognitive benefits. The third theme, factors related to housing sustainability, was characterized by financial securities, mental health stability, and awareness of housing significance. Recommendations for mental health professionals, policy makers, and community agencies are discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • stability
  • youth
  • sustainability
  • homeless
  • resilience
  • coping
  • street involved

• Graduation date

  Fall 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-849s-4491

• License

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