Abstracts
Abstract
Youth homelessness is a complex issue. The experience of living in alternative care, combined with a lack of support, is a key risk factor that increases the likelihood of youth becoming homeless. This study aimed to explore the lives of homeless youth through their personal experiences, focusing on their pathways to homelessness and the support they would have required to avoid it. Qualitative research was conducted with six young people aged 15 to 29 who were homeless and residing in a shelter in Zagreb. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The results showed that the participants all had a background in alternative care, often with multiple placements while in care. Key factors contributing to homelessness included aging out of the care system, broken family relationships, mental health issues, and unemployment. The findings showed that these young homeless individuals primarily relied on formal support systems. They emphasized the need for practical assistance, access to social welfare assistance, professional support and empowerment, and emotional support from trusted individuals. This research underscores the importance of providing targeted, systematic, support to help young homeless people overcome the challenges they face on their path to a stable and independent life.
Keywords:
- youth homelessness,
- alternative care,
- pathways to homelessness,
- support,
- Croatia
Appendices
Bibliography
- Anderson, I. (2001, March 27). Pathways through homelessness: Towards a dynamic analysis [Research seminar]. University of Western Sydney. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:18045266
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. Sage.
- Crane, P., Kaur, J., & Burton, J. (2013). Homelessness and leaving care: The experiences of young adults in Queensland and Victoria, and implications for practice. School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.
- Curry, S. R., & Abrams, L. S. (2015). Housing and social support for youth aging out of foster care: State of the research literature and directions for future inquiry. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 32(2), 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-014-0346-4
- Družić Ljubotina, O., Kletečki Radović, M. & Ogresta, J. (2016). Slika podrške beskućnicima u Hrvatskoj [Picture of support for the homeless in Croatia]. Gradski ured za socijalnu zaštitu i osobe s invaliditetom, Zagreb.
- Družić Ljubotina, O., Kletečki Radović, M., & Ogresta, J. (2022). Determinants of causal attributions of homelessness in Croatia. Revija za socijalnu politiku, 29(2), 163-190. https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v29i2.1972
- Fowler, P. J., Toro, P. A., & Miles, B. W. (2009). Pathways to and from homelessness and associated psychosocial outcomes among adolescents leaving foster care system. American Journal of Public Health, 99(8), 1453–1458. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2008.142547
- Gaetz, S. (2014). Coming of age: Reimagining the response to youth homelessness in Canada. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. https://homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/ComingOfAgeHH_0.pdf
- Gaetz, S., O’Grady, B., Buccieri, K., Karabanow, J., & Marsolais, A. (2013). Youth homelessness in Canada: Implications for policy and practice. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.
- Kusturin, S., Maglica, T., & Makvić, K. (Eds.). (2014). Okvirko: Priručnik za osnaživanje mladih u procesu izlaska iz alternativne skrbi [Framework: Manual for empowering young people in the process of leaving alternative care]. Udruga Igra. https://udrugaigra.hr/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1-zasto-okvirko.pdf
- Martijn, C., & Sharpe. L. (2006). Pathways to youth homelessness. Social Science and Medicine, 62(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.05.007
- Mlinar, Z., & Kozar, A. (2012). Prihvatilište za beskućnike Gradskog Crvenog križa Zagreb [The City Red Cross Zagreb shelter for the homeless]. In O. Družić Ljubotina (Ed.), Beskućništvo: Pogled iz različitih perspektiva (pp. 99–114). Gradski ured za socijalnu zaštitu i osobe s invaliditetom, Zagreb.
- Natalier, K., & Johnson, G. (2012). Housing pathways of young people who have left out-of-home state care. Housing, Theory and Society, 29(1), 75–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2011.592215
- Quilgars, D., Johnsen, S., & Pleace, N. (2008). Youth homelessness in the UK: A decade of progress? Joseph Rowntree Foundation. https://pure.hw.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/481250/JRF_YouthHomelessnessFindings.pdf
- Reilly, T. (2003). Transition from care: Status and outcomes of youth who age out of foster care. Child Welfare, 82(6), 727–746.
- Rukavina, E. (2020.) Pogled u beskućništvo mladih [A look at youth homelessness; Graduation thesis]. Studijski centar socijalnog rada, Pravni fakultet, Zagreb. https://repozitorij.pravo.unizg.hr/islandora/object/pravo:3384
- Shelton, K. H., Taylor, P. J., Bonner, A., & van den Bree, M. (2009). Risk factors for homelessness: Evidence from a population-based study. Psychiatric Services, 60(4), 465–472. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2009.60.4.465
- Somerville, P. (2013). Understanding homelessness. Housing, Theory and Society, 30(4), 384–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2012.756096
- Stein, M. (2006). Research review: Young people leaving care. Child and Family Social Work, 11(3), 273−279. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2206.2006.00439.x
- Stewart., M., Reutter, L., Letourneau, N., Makarimba, E., & Hungler, K. (2010). Supporting homeless youth: Perspectives and preferences. Journal of Poverty, 14(2), 145–165. https://doi.org/10.1080/10875541003711631
- Šikić Mićanović, L. (2012). Beskućnišvo u Hrvatskoj: Pregled rezultata kvalitativnog istraživanja [Homelessness in Croatia: An overview of qualitative research results]. In O. Družić Ljubotina (Ed.), Beskućništvo: Pogled iz različitih perspektiva (pp. 29–41). Gradski ured za socijalnu zaštitu i osobe s invaliditetom, Zagreb.
- Tyler, K. A. (2006). A qualitative study of early family histories and transitions of homeless youth. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(10), 1385–1393. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260506291650
- Tyler, K. A., & Melander, L. A. (2011). A qualitative study of the formation and composition of social networks among homeless youth. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(4), 802–817. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2011.00739.x
- Vucica, J. (2016). On the very edge: Youth homelessness in Croatia. Homeless in Europe, April, pp. 9–10. https://www.feantsa.org/download/magazine_spring_2016_youth3935837121310495469.pdf