Five Dimensions of Faith and Spiritually of Older African American Women Transitioning Out of Homelessness |
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Authors: | Olivia G M Washington David P Moxley Lois Garriott Jennifer P Weinberger |
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Institution: | (1) College of Nursing & Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA;(2) School of Social Work, Oklahoma Health Care Authority Professor of Health, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 310 Rhyne Hall, Norman, OK 73019, USA;(3) School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA;(4) Counseling and Psychological Services, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; |
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Abstract: | Background Homelessness among older African American women is emerging as a serious social problem. The increasing cost of living, diminishing
community resources, and shrinking retirement benefits, as well as reduced social services are resulting in greater numbers
of older minority women becoming homeless. Aims This investigation explores the relevance of faith and spirituality to an advocacy assessment designed to help participants
resolve issues that operate as barriers to their leaving and staying out of homelessness. Methods A substudy of a larger research and development project was undertaken, in which qualitative interview methods were used
to illuminate the role of faith and spirituality resources in the lives of 84 older homeless African American women. Comparative
thematic analysis of illustrative cases was undertaken to better understand the role of faith and spirituality in the women’s
lives and in how they used faith and spirituality in coping with homelessness. Findings Five dimensions of faith and spirituality, (a) identity and beliefs; (b) affiliation and membership; (c) involvement; (d)
practices; and (e) benefits, served as promising resources in understanding life spaces of homeless minority women and identified
promising advocacy strategies. Two cases describe the realities of homelessness for older minority women endeavoring to transition
out of homelessness and illustrate how faith and spirituality can buffer stress, facilitate coping, and sustain motivation.
Conclusions How older homeless African American women use their faith and spiritual resources to cope with demands of homelessness, challenges
of transition, and recovery from the multiple traumas resulting from being homeless makes the assessment of faith and spirituality
an important part of the advocacy process. |
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