Homelessness and Health in Adolescents

Authors

Amy M. Haldenby, University of Western Ontario
Helene Berman, University of Western OntarioFollow
Cheryl Forchuk, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2007

Journal

Qualitative Health Research

Volume

17

Issue

9

First Page

1232

Last Page

1244

Abstract

Despite an abundance of resources, many of the world's wealthiest nations have a large homeless population. People at all stages of development are affected by this problem, but adolescents who are homeless face a unique set of challenges. In this critical narrative study the authors examined the experiences of homeless adolescents with particular attention to the role of gender and public policy, health experiences and perceptions, and barriers to health care services. Six girls and 7 boys participated in semistructured dialogic interviews. Their stories revealed that living without a home had a substantial impact on their health and wellness. The findings from this study support the need for health care professionals to work in collaboration with homeless youth so that more effective care that is sensitive to their unique health needs can be provided.

Notes

Published in: Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 17, No. 9, 1232-1244 (2007). DOI: 10.1177/1049732307307550