Keywords
homelessness, homeless women, homeless families, child separation, homeless shelter, mother child separation, homeless mothers, poverty
Abstract
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.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2009
Advisor
Wright, James
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Sociology
Degree Program
Applied Sociology
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0002526
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002526
Language
English
Release Date
May 2009
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Dotson, Hilary, "Homeless Women In The Orlando Shelter System: A Comparison Of Single Women, Families, And Women Separated From The Children" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4131.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/4131
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