Homeless people, emotional ties and social relationships

A qualitative analysis of their experiences

Authors

Keywords:

Social relationships, Emotional ties, Social exclusion, Loneliness, Barriers, Qualitative study, Grounded theory, Homelessness

Abstract

The phenomenon of homelessness goes beyond the lack of personal housing, as it involves, among other issues, the breaking of emotional ties. This raises the need to understand how individuals affected by this situation manage to establish new relationships and rebuild connections with others in similar or different circumstances.

The purpose of this study has been to explore the experiences in homelessness situations regarding the social relationships and emotional ties established with others in similar or different situations, as well as the obstacles they encounter in doing so. The research is framed within an inductive and emergent qualitative methodology based on Grounded Theory. Eight individual semi-structured interviews and 26 workshop sessions were conducted with the participation of eight individuals housed in various shelters in the city of Córdoba.

Thematic content analysis, supported by Nvivo software, reveals the existence of various obstacles in establishing interpersonal relationships, ranging from fear of failure to insecurities stemming from previous experiences of homelessness. Additionally, contextual factors, such as the brief duration of stays in shelter facilities, hinder the construction of stable support networks.

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Author Biographies

Amalia Reina, Departament of Psychology, University of Cordoba

Amalia Reina. Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cordoba (Spain). Faculty of Education and Psychology. Avda. San Alberto Magno, s/n. 14071. Cordoba. amalia.reina@uco.es. Research interests: scenarios of extreme vulnerability, studies with a gender perspective, digital citizenship, and proposals for social innovation and digital literacy.

Sonia Gutierro, Universidad de Córdoba

Sonia Gutierro. Early Childhood Education Teacher. Master's in Psychology Applied to Education and Social Well-being. University of Cordoba (Spain). Faculty of Education and Psychology. Avda. San Alberto Magno, s/n. 14071. Cordoba. z12gucas@uco.es

Carmen Cruz, Departament of Education, University of Cordoba

Carmen Cruz. Contracted Doctor Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Cordoba (Spain). Faculty of Education and Psychology. Avda. San Alberto Magno, s/n. 14071. Cordoba. carmen.cruz@uco.es. Research lines: study of digital literacy, situations of extreme vulnerability, homelessness, in studies with a gender perspective, and in proposals for social transformation and innovation

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Published

2024-01-31

How to Cite

Reina, A., Gutierro, S., & Cruz, C. (2024). Homeless people, emotional ties and social relationships: A qualitative analysis of their experiences. Prisma Social Journal, (44), 150–168. Retrieved from https://revistaprismasocial.es/ps/article/view/5303

Issue

No. 44 (2024): Las personas en situación de sinhogarismo en la Agenda 2030

Section

Sección temática

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