The Meaning of Spirituality Among a Group of Homeless Women
The aim of the exploratory descriptive qualitative study was to interview fourteen sheltered homeless women ranging in age from 20-68 as to their definitions and lived experiences associated with spirituality. Additionally, the women were asked how spirituality and their beliefs impacted their overall health.
Rationale/conceptual Basis/Background
Rates of homelessness in the United States remain high and a significant portion of this population is homeless women. It has been demonstrated in the literature that women who are homeless face a multitude of physical and mental health issues. Moreover, research has historically indicated that spirituality may help to mitigate the effects of homelessness. However, there have been few research studies focusing on the definition and meaning of spirituality in the lives of homeless women.
Methods
The data was obtained from recorded individual interviews that were collected at a homeless shelter for women located in the southwest. Each interview lasted anywhere from 14 to 46 minutes in length. The sample was one of convenience and fourteen women agreed to participate in the study. The women were recruited and referred to the researchers by the shelter staff. The women had to meet the following inclusion criteria in order to participate in the study: 18 years of age or older, able to read, speak, and understand English, be enrolled at the shelter, and not experiencing a mental health condition that would disallow them to understand the informed consent and directions for the demographic form. Each participant met with the researchers to explain the study and to obtain written informed consent. Participants received a $10.00 gift card at the end of each interview as a token of appreciation.
Results
Following analyses of the interviews conducted with these women, five themes related to spirituality emerged: a belief in God or a higher power; a distinction between religious beliefs and spirituality; a belief in a plan for their life; spirituality and beliefs providing guidance for what is “right” and what is “wrong”; and a belief that their lives would improve.
Implications
The findings of this study seem to support the fundamental importance of spirituality in the lives of homeless women. By assessing the importance of spirituality, interventions may be designed that support spiritual practices and perhaps lessen the negative impact of homelessness for these women.