You are here

HOMELESS WOMEN IN THE ORLANDO SHELTER SYSTEM: A COMPARISON OF SINGLE WOMEN, FAMILIES, AND WOMEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR CHILDREN

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2009
Abstract/Description:
Homeless women and families are among the most disenfranchised groups in society. Further, because of their homelessness and associated problems, many homeless women become separated from their children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on predictors of entering a shelter with or without children (shelter status) and whether or not one is separated from one or more children (child separation status) on various special need predictors. A second objective was to determine the relationship between shelter status and child separation and to understand the unique experiences of homeless women who are separated from their children. These objectives were achieved via thematic analysis, quantitative methods and qualitative methods. Results suggest that shelter status significantly related to mental illness, drug abuse and domestic violence, but child separation status only significantly relates to drug abuse. The qualitative findings examined the origins of homelessness, child separation and the women's desires to be reunited with their children. Suggestions for further research and program changes are included.
Title: HOMELESS WOMEN IN THE ORLANDO SHELTER SYSTEM: A COMPARISON OF SINGLE WOMEN, FAMILIES, AND WOMEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR CHILDREN.
47 views
18 downloads
Name(s): Dotson, Hilary, Author
Wright, James, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2009
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Homeless women and families are among the most disenfranchised groups in society. Further, because of their homelessness and associated problems, many homeless women become separated from their children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on predictors of entering a shelter with or without children (shelter status) and whether or not one is separated from one or more children (child separation status) on various special need predictors. A second objective was to determine the relationship between shelter status and child separation and to understand the unique experiences of homeless women who are separated from their children. These objectives were achieved via thematic analysis, quantitative methods and qualitative methods. Results suggest that shelter status significantly related to mental illness, drug abuse and domestic violence, but child separation status only significantly relates to drug abuse. The qualitative findings examined the origins of homelessness, child separation and the women's desires to be reunited with their children. Suggestions for further research and program changes are included.
Identifier: CFE0002526 (IID), ucf:47643 (fedora)
Note(s): 2009-05-01
M.A.
Sciences, Department of Sociology
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): homelessness
homeless women
homeless families
child separation
homeless shelter
mother child separation
homeless mothers
poverty
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002526
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

In Collections