Homelessness: Critical reflections and observations from an occupational perspective

Abstract

This comment piece is the result of our critical reflections, observations and discussions in relation to occupation and homelessness, inspired by our participation in the fourth conference of Occupational Science Europe and informed by our research and experiences in the field. Whilst we acknowledge the growing contribution of occupational therapy and occupational science to homelessness, our practices have led us to identify a number of complex factors that impact on this work. In this article we discuss issues that influence the participation of homeless persons in everyday life and make suggestions to support occupational participation. At the macro level, we recognise the importance of definitions and categories of homelessness, how legislation can frame the responsibility of homelessness on individuals and poverty as a causal factor. At the meso level, we explore how charity and power differentials within homelessness services influence participation and propose an occupationally informed approach to homelessness services to enhance meaningful participation. Finally, at the micro level, we focus on interactions with individuals and examine the notion of occupational choice for homeless persons and critique traditional rehabilitative approaches. This comment reflects our own critical awakening as occupational therapists situated within a neoliberal society and the value of collaboration between occupational science and occupational therapy. It reinforces the essential role that critical occupational science plays in knowledge generation by attending to the complex structural, cultural and social factors that influence the choices and occupations of homeless persons, which in turn enhances occupational therapy practice.

Terapia ocupacional e Paulo Freire: uma revisão de escopo

“…Há o reconhecimento de conexões possíveis e potentes entre a terapia ocupacional e as perspectivas freireanas de educação, ressaltando que essas podem fomentar um pensamento crítico que auxilia o trabalho profissional junto a grupos que vivenciam a exclusão e opressão, seja por aspectos socioeconômicos, físicos ou mentais etc., sobretudo, em serviços de caráter comunitário e territorial, extra-clínico, que exigem uma prática que aja de forma 6 Blain & Townsend (1993); Frank (1996); Townsend (1996aTownsend ( , 1996bTownsend ( , 1997aTownsend ( , 1997bTownsend ( , 1998 mais alargada sobre as realidades dos sujeitos, para uma emancipação social (VanLeit, 1998;Frank, 1996;Padilla, 2002;Neufeld & Kniepmann, 2001;Lopes et al, 2011aLopes et al, , 2011bFransen et al, 2015;Maia et al, 2016;Gontijo et al, 2016;Boland & Cunningham, 2018). Isso pode ser exemplificado com a finalidade do trabalho desenvolvido com os jovens em vulnerabilidade social no Brasil, em uma Escola Pública e um Centro da Juventude, descritos por Lopes et al (2013, p. 939), que colocam que "[...] é necessário buscar recursos que ampliem as redes sociais de suporte a esses jovens, criando espaços de pertencimento e possibilidades de tomada de consciência crítica".…”

Use of the AusTOMs-OT to record outcomes in an occupational therapy homeless service

“…Internationally, homelessness is recognised as a societal issue (Boland and Cunningham, 2019; Thomas et al, 2011). With diverse causes and presentations, homelessness significantly impacts on a person’s ability to participate in meaningful occupation.…”

“…Causes of homelessness are varied and can range from substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence or economic reasons (Schultz-Krohn and Tyminski, 2018). Other authors relate the cause of homelessness to a mixture of structural (housing supply, unemployment and welfare priorities) and individual factors (Boland and Cunningham, 2019). Because of this, individuals experiencing homelessness are not homogenous and the needs of this group are often diverse (Cunningham and Slade, 2019; Thomas et al, 2011).…”