Women in a situation of homelessness and violence: a single-case study using the photo-elicitation technique

• Main Authors: Clara Isabel Posada-Abadía (Author), Carolina Marín-Martín (Author), Cristina Oter-Quintana (Author), María Teresa González-Gil (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s12905-021-01353-x; 1472-6874
• Keywords: Gender-based violence; Homeless persons; Adaptation; Psychological; Single-case study; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Women's Health, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-15 (2021)

Abstract Background Violence against women places them in a vulnerable position with regard to homelessness. Although sometimes invisible, women's homelessness is a complex reality shrouded in dramatic biographies that should be sensitively addressed to avoid revictimization. Methods With the aim of understanding the chaotic discourse of homeless women's experiences of violence, a qualitative single-case study was conducted using the photo-elicitation technique. Data were analyzed in accordance with grounded theory. Results The participant's discourse could be summarized in the following categories: "Living in a spiral of violence", "Confronting vulnerability and violence", "Being a strong woman", "New family networks", "Re-building mother-child relationships", and "Nurturing spiritual wellbeing". Conclusions Supporting homelessness women requires an approach that focuses on the prevention of re-victimization and the consequences of violence in terms of physical and mental health. Shelters are spaces of care for recovery and represent referential elements for the re-construction of self.