IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/cysrev/v82y2017icp230-238.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The need for safe spaces: Exploring the experiences of homeless LGBTQ youth in shelters

Author

Listed:
  • Coolhart, Deborah
  • Brown, Maria T.

Abstract

Studies indicate LGBTQ youth are at higher risk of homelessness (2–13 times) than their heterosexual cisgender counterparts and that they represent a substantial portion of youth utilizing housing and shelter services. Some authors have provided anecdotal (rather than empirical) examples of LGBTQ youth experiencing abuse or mistreatment in shelters; most studies focusing on LGBTQ homeless youth have been conducted in large cities and have rarely collected data from both youth and providers. Using an exploratory, grounded theory approach, this study utilized data from interviews with LGBTQ youth with a history of homelessness as well as service providers working with this population in a mid-sized Northeastern city. Findings suggest youth experience multiple challenges, barriers, and mistreatment in the shelters; further, data suggests several ideas about how to transform shelters to better meet the needs of LGBTQ youth.

Suggested Citation

  • Coolhart, Deborah & Brown, Maria T., 2017. "The need for safe spaces: Exploring the experiences of homeless LGBTQ youth in shelters," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 230-238.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:82:y:2017:i:c:p:230-238
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.09.021
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740917301135
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.09.021?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ha, Yoonsook & Narendorf, Sarah C. & Santa Maria, Diane & Bezette-Flores, Noel, 2015. "Barriers and facilitators to shelter utilization among homeless young adults," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 25-33.
    2. Maccio, Elaine M. & Ferguson, Kristin M., 2016. "Services to LGBTQ runaway and homeless youth: Gaps and recommendations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 47-57.
    3. Altena, Astrid M. & Beijersbergen, Mariëlle D. & Wolf, Judith R.L.M., 2014. "Homeless youth's experiences with shelter and community care services: Differences between service types and the relationship to overall service quality," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 195-202.
    4. Gwadz, Marya Viorst & Cleland, Charles M. & Leonard, Noelle R. & Bolas, James & Ritchie, Amanda S. & Tabac, Lara & Freeman, Robert & Silverman, Elizabeth & Kutnick, Alexandra & Dickson, Victoria Vaugh, 2017. "Understanding organizations for runaway and homeless youth: A multi-setting quantitative study of their characteristics and effects," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 398-410.
    5. Cochran, B.N. & Stewart, A.J. & Ginzler, J.A. & Cauce, A.M., 2002. "Challenges faced by homeless sexual minorities: Comparison of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender homeless adolescents with their heterosexual counterparts," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 773-777.
    6. Corliss, H.L. & Goodenow, C.S. & Nichols, L. & Bryn Austin, S., 2011. "High burden of homelessness among sexual-minority adolescents: Findings from a representative massachusetts high school sample," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(9), pages 1683-1689.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mary-Catherine Anderson & Ashley Hazel & Jessica M. Perkins & Zack W. Almquist, 2021. "The Ecology of Unsheltered Homelessness: Environmental and Social-Network Predictors of Well-Being among an Unsheltered Homeless Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-22, July.
    2. González Álvarez, Rodrigo & Hofman, Sterre & ten Brummelaar, Mijntje & López López, Mónica, 2023. "Care professionals’ perspectives and roles on resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care: A multidimensional perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    3. Elena Tubertini & Agostino Carbone & Massimo Santinello, 2023. "Staff Members’ Experience of Italian Shelters for LGBTQIA+ Homeless and Runaway People: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Côté, Philippe-Benoit & Blais, Martin, 2019. "Between resignation, resistance and recognition: A qualitative analysis of LGBTQ+ youth profiles of homelessness agencies utilization," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 437-443.
    5. Damian, April Joy & Ponce, Delilah & Gonzalez, Melanie & Azevedo, Brandon & Kokan, Zeba & Ortiz-Siberon, Angel, 2023. "Barriers and opportunities to supporting youth of color and LGBTQ + youth experiencing homelessness during COVID: A qualitative assessment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Prock, Kristen A. & Kennedy, Angie C., 2020. "Characteristics, experiences, and service utilization patterns of homeless youth in a transitional living program: Differences by LGBQ identity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Prock, Kristen A. & Kennedy, Angie C., 2017. "Federally-funded transitional living programs and services for LGBTQ-identified homeless youth: A profile in unmet need," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 17-24.
    3. Tyler, Kimberly A. & Ray, Colleen M., 2019. "Risk and protective factors for substance use among youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    4. Eric R. Wright & Ana LaBoy & Kara Tsukerman & Nicholas Forge & Erin Ruel & Renee Shelby & Madison Higbee & Zoe Webb & Melanie Turner-Harper & Asantewaa Darkwa & Cody Wallace, 2021. "The Prevalence and Correlates of Labor and Sex Trafficking in a Community Sample of Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Metro-Atlanta," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Begun, Stephanie & Frey, Cressida & Combs, Katie Massey & Torrie, Michaela, 2019. "“I guess it would be a good shock”: A qualitative examination of homeless youths' diverse pregnancy attitudes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 87-96.
    6. Yoonsook, Ha & Thomas, Margaret M.C. & Narendorf, Sarah Carter & Maria, Diane Santa, 2018. "Correlates of shelter use among young adults experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 477-484.
    7. Semborski, Sara & Redline, Brian & Madden, Danielle & Granger, Theresa & Henwood, Benjamin, 2021. "Housing interventions for emerging adults experiencing homelessness: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    8. repec:mpr:mprres:8027 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Tucker, Joan S. & Pedersen, Eric R. & Parast, Layla & Klein, David J., 2018. "Factors associated with drop-in center utilization among unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 347-354.
    10. Andrew Burwick & Vanessa Oddo & Laura Durso & Daniel Friend & Gary Gates, 2014. "Identifying and Serving LGBTQ Youth: Case Studies of Runaway and Homeless Youth Program Grantees," Mathematica Policy Research Reports a985fdbd940442cf9d945c423, Mathematica Policy Research.
    11. Mallory, Allen B. & Luthy, Ellison & Martin, Jared K. & Slesnick, Natasha, 2022. "Variability in treatment outcomes from a housing intervention for young mothers misusing substances and experiencing homelessness by sexual identity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    12. repec:mpr:mprres:7072 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Gurdak, Kristen & Bond, Lynden & Padgett, Deborah & Petering, Robin, 2022. "Transitioning to independent living: Experiences of homeless young adults in rapid rehousing," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    14. Drydakis, Nick, 2021. "Social Rejection, Family Acceptance, Economic Recession and Physical and Mental Health of Sexual Minorities," IZA Discussion Papers 14733, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    15. Halverson, McKenna & Hatchimonji, Danielle R. & Treglia, Dan & Flatley, Claire A. & Herbers, Janette E. & Cutuli, J.J., 2022. "Risky sexual behavior and STI testing among teens experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    16. Maccio, Elaine M. & Ferguson, Kristin M., 2016. "Services to LGBTQ runaway and homeless youth: Gaps and recommendations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 47-57.
    17. Côté, Philippe-Benoit & Blais, Martin, 2019. "Between resignation, resistance and recognition: A qualitative analysis of LGBTQ+ youth profiles of homelessness agencies utilization," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 437-443.
    18. Brodie Fraser & Nevil Pierse & Elinor Chisholm & Hera Cook, 2019. "LGBTIQ+ Homelessness: A Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    19. Alex Abramovich, 2016. "Preventing, Reducing and Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness: The Need for Targeted Strategies," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(4), pages 86-96.
    20. Scannapieco, Maria & Painter, Kirstin R. & Blau, Gary, 2018. "A comparison of LGBTQ youth and heterosexual youth in the child welfare system: Mental health and substance abuse occurrence and outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 39-46.
    21. Wusinich, Christina & Bond, Lynden & Nathanson, Anna & Padgett, Deborah K., 2019. "“If you’re gonna help me, help me”: Barriers to housing among unsheltered homeless adults," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1-1.
    22. Gwadz, Marya Viorst & Cleland, Charles M. & Leonard, Noelle R. & Bolas, James & Ritchie, Amanda S. & Tabac, Lara & Freeman, Robert & Silverman, Elizabeth & Kutnick, Alexandra & Dickson, Victoria Vaugh, 2017. "Understanding organizations for runaway and homeless youth: A multi-setting quantitative study of their characteristics and effects," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 398-410.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:82:y:2017:i:c:p:230-238. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/childyouth .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.