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Heterogeneity among homeless Australian women and their reasons for homelessness entry
Warburton, Wayne A. Papic, Marina Whittaker, Elizabeth
Warburton, Wayne A.
Papic, Marina
Whittaker, Elizabeth
Abstract
Many women become homeless each year, both women who are alone and women with children. Both groups face substantial risks to their physical and mental health, as do the children of homeless mothers. Little is known about the similarities and differences between these two groups in terms of their demographic characteristics, their circumstances on presentation to specialist homelessness services, and the factors that have contributed to their homelessness. The current study analysed data from 163 single mothers with children and 126 lone women who presented to a specialist homelessness service in Australia. It found some similarities between groups, but also considerable heterogeneity. Single mothers were more likely to be younger, to have been born overseas, and to have been homeless in the past 12 months. Lone women were more likely to have medical issues, a mental health condition, addiction issues, admission to a psychiatric ward in the past 12 months, and to not be in the labour force. Implications for service delivery are discussed.
Keywords
homeless mothers with children, homeless lone women, specialist homelessness services, homelessness service delivery
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Book
Volume
19
Issue
15
Page Range
1-12
Article Number
Article 8909
ACU Department
School of Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open