Homelessness, loneliness and intersectionality : an Australian study

Abstract

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Australia is increasing rapidly. There is some evidence that poor social wellbeing, such as loneliness, social isolation and low social integration, can prevent individuals from successfully exiting homelessness and maintaining a tenancy. Poor social wellbeing can also negatively impact physical and psychological health, which could be particularly harmful for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those experiencing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness, who already experience high levels of mental disorder and physical health issues. Despite these factors, very little Australian research has explored how people with lived experience of homelessness experience and manage their social world or the factors which contribute to poor social wellbeing. The homeless population is diverse "" people differ in the type of homelessness they experience and their social identities (such as their gender identities or work histories). Individuals are therefore likely to experience their social worlds differently. The purpose of this research is to explore the social networks of currently and formerly homeless people taking into consideration their diverse backgrounds and histories. It joined the dots and explains how social integration, social isolation, loneliness and substance use interact in those who have experienced homelessness. A mixed-methods design was utilised and the research was driven by critical realist epistemology and an intersectionality framework. Overall, adopting a marginalised homeless social identity changed the terrain of participants' social world, triggering self-isolating behaviours that continued past homelessness. While these behaviours were designed to preserve positive social identities, they inadvertently further isolated an individual from the people they cared about. Participants' desired social identities corresponded closely to their pre-homeless norms and ideals, and they looked for social networks and behaviours to achieve this. Service providers can assist those who have experienced homelessness to form social identities that provide meaning and purpose beyond homelessness, and help facilitate a successful exit from homelessness. This thesis also has raised 23 possibilities for how society can reduce the social stigma around homelessness. It also presented recommendations for how people experiencing homelessness can be housed well, that is quickly, with ample choice and adequate tailored support. Finally, this thesis explored the efficacy of adopting mainstream loneliness theory to understand the social experiences of marginalised populations.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English