Exploring the lived experience of homelessness from an occupational perspective

Abstract

Working in homelessness is a growing area of practice for occupational therapists, however, there is limited literature on the lived experiences of homelessness and occupational engagement Study aim: To explore the lived experience of homeless men in relation to how they engaged in day-to-day occupations when sleeping rough or hostel dwelling Methods: Data were gathered from five men residing in a homeless hostel in the UK. Data collection included semi-structured interviews and photographic diaries. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Results: Participants described their experiences of occupational engagement whilst sleeping on the streets which included engaging in survival occupations, the significance of apparently ordinary occupations and moving beyond survival occupations. The homeless hostel provided opportunities for occupational engagement that the men perceived in an idiosyncratic manner. The men described benefits of engaging in novel occupations and reengaging in known occupations. Occupational injustices were a common theme that occurred throughout participants experiences Conclusion: This study has highlighted the diversity of occupational engagement for 'roofless' or 'houseless' participants and how different individuals experience occupational adaption Significance: This study has furthered understandings of the concept of 'survival occupations' and the importance of community resources to facilitate occupational engagement whilst homeless.

Homelessness: Critical reflections and observations from an occupational perspective

“…An occupational science perspective brings to the fore how persons who experience homelessness, do not have the opportunity to do the everyday things that people in positions of privilege in the domiciled population take for granted, for example, making a hot drink in their own kitchen, or using their own toilet. Occupational science research has recognised that there is an occupational impact when people do not have a space of their own (Chard, Faulkner & Chugg, 2009;Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Marshall, Lysaght & Krupa, 2017). We propose therefore, that occupational scientists should lead on highlighting the connection between inadequate living environments and the day-to-day experiences of occupational inequities and make this more explicit to influence definitions and contribute to interdisciplinary policy development at a macro level.…”

“…The focus at the micro level is on the individual person and occupational science scholars have developed a body of knowledge related to describing the lived experience of, and meaning of occupational engagement for, homeless individuals (Chard, Faulkner, & Chugg, 2009;Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Illman, Spence, O'Campo, & Kirsh, 2013;Marshall et al, 2017). This has added valuable understandings of the occupations of daily life for homeless persons and has introduced and elaborated the concept of survival occupations (Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Marshall et al, 2017).…”

“…The focus at the micro level is on the individual person and occupational science scholars have developed a body of knowledge related to describing the lived experience of, and meaning of occupational engagement for, homeless individuals (Chard, Faulkner, & Chugg, 2009;Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Illman, Spence, O'Campo, & Kirsh, 2013;Marshall et al, 2017). This has added valuable understandings of the occupations of daily life for homeless persons and has introduced and elaborated the concept of survival occupations (Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Marshall et al, 2017). Additionally, the literature reinforces the importance of occupations for social connections within homelessness (Chard et al, 2009;Thomas, Gray, & McGinty, 2012) and there are numerous descriptions of how individuals struggle to fill time in meaningful ways (Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Illman et al, 2013;Marshall et al, 2017).…”

“…In line with the increase in numbers of people experiencing homelessness, there is a growing field of practice and research in occupational therapy and occupational science related to homeless persons. This includes work around meaning and well-being (Cunningham & Slade, 2017;Marshall, Lysaght, & Krupa, 2017;Thomas, Gray, & McGinty, 2017) as well as interventions (Gutman & Raphael-Greenfield, 2017;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Simon, 2015;Lloyd, Hilder, & Williams, 2017). These are positive contributions for understanding occupation for people who are marginalised and the valuable role occupational therapy can play.…”

Occupational challenges and adaptations of vulnerable EU citizens from Romania begging in Sweden

“…Further, occupational adaptation was used in reconstructing meaning and identity in early refugee resettlement, but prolonged occupational deprivation was a limiting factor (Suleman & Whiteford, 2013). The concept of occupational adaptation has also been applied in relation to homelessness (Cunningham & Slade, 2017).…”