Homeless Youth: A Concept Analysis

Health-seeking behaviours in the homeless population: A concept analysis

This concept analysis aims to define the concept of health-seeking behaviour in relation to the homeless population. The altered experiences of individuals who are homeless suggest that the concept of health-seeking behaviours has distinct attributes and therefore, a new definition of this concept is needed when compared with other populations. The framework outlined by Walker and Avant was used for this analysis with model, borderline and contrary cases. Databases searched were: CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, PsycInfo, Google Scholar and PubMed. Because of the limited literature on the overall health-seeking behaviours of the homeless population, the most relevant 15 sources were selected from these databases for the literature review. Critical attributes derived from the literature were: (a) distrust in healthcare services, emerging from feelings of judgement or stigma from healthcare providers; (b) prioritising physiological needs such as food, shelter and clothing over the safety needs of health; (c) delaying seeking care until physical symptoms are severe; and (d) having decreased access to healthcare because of being uninsured or having no money, requiring transportation, experiencing long wait times for appointments, or lacking knowledge of available healthcare services. We define health-seeking behaviours in the homeless population as a complex process where a homeless individual seeks out healthcare for a problem or illness, but must first meet his or her physiological needs and then deem current symptoms severe enough to seek medical treatment despite his or her distrust in the healthcare system and barriers to accessing healthcare. Homeless individuals may face unique physiological hardships and emotional stressors compared to the general population, which results in distinct attributes surrounding health-seeking behaviours. Healthcare providers need to be aware of current barriers to care and perceived access to care in order to reduce the barriers to care that the homeless population faces.

Utilizing Participatory Mapping and GIS to Examine the Activity Spaces of Homeless Youth

Although previous studies have informed our understanding of certain aspects of youth homelessness, few studies have critically examined the spatial and social environments utilized by youth as they navigate life on the streets. This study employed participatory mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine the activity spaces of homeless youth as they relate to sense of community and psychological well-being. Participants were 28 youth experiencing homelessness in Portland, Oregon, USA. Results suggest that youth engage most frequently in service-related activities, and their activity participation is significantly associated with sense of community and psychological well-being. The utility of innovative participatory methods for better understanding the diverse experiences of homeless youth is discussed alongside examination of their practical implications.