Date of Award
5-2014
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Dale Oswalt
Second Advisor
Jeffrey S. Williamson
Third Advisor
Jeffrey S. Williamson
Scholarship Domain(s)
Scholarship of Discovery
Abstract
This study drew out and described the perceptions of 10 men who successfully made the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Responding to semi-structured openended questions in a one-on-one interview format, participants shared perceptions about their lived-experiences before, during, and after chronic homelessness, and how they navigated the difficult journey to self-sufficiency. The researcher used conventional content analysis to allow the perspectives of participants to emerge from their own words in themes and meaning units. The findings of this study suggest that from participants’ point of view loss of social support due to the death of a parent or spouse, divorce, trauma, substance abuse, physical and mental illness, crime and incarceration are contributing factors to episodes of homelessness. The findings of this study also suggest that obtaining a reliable source of income, personal perseverance, personal faith are important factors related to achieving self-sufficiency. Finally, the findings of this study suggest that coordinated services, the support of trusted individuals, and securing a safe, stable, and encouraging environment provides the needed basis from which to begin the journey out of homelessness.
Recommended Citation
Gatlin, Dallas W., "The Voice of the Homeless Adult Male: Perceptions of Those Who Have Successfully Transitioned to Self-Sufficiency" (2014). Ed.D. Dissertations. 69.
https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/edd_diss/69
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Social Work Commons
Comments
Ed.D. dissertation completed in 2014 for Olivet Nazarene University.