Publication Date

2012

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

African American homeless women-Psychology, Homelessness-Psychological aspects, Psychic trauma-Treatment, Loss (Psychology), Grief, Homelessness, Trauma, Grief and loss, Attachment theory, African-American women

Abstract

The purpose of this theoretical study was to explore and describe the trauma that single homeless African-American women are at risk for before and during homelessness. Grief and loss theory and attachment theory were used to bring attention to the need of addressing traumas during homelessness. Literature was reviewed relating to exploring the areas of cross-sectional identities of race, gender and socioeconomic status within this population, historical contexts of homelessness in the U.S., and homelessness as trauma, to analyze the language used to describe the barriers in receiving treatment as a single homeless African-American woman. Through exploring these topics and their relation to single homeless African-American women, it is noticed that much research pertaining to this population carries negative and pathological tones. Social workers are challenged to consider strength-based modes of practice, as well as, develop research that gives voice to a largely unseen population.

Language

English

Comments

iv, 100 p. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2012. Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-100)

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