IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i13p6214-d1178033.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Staff Members’ Experience of Italian Shelters for LGBTQIA+ Homeless and Runaway People: An Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Tubertini

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Agostino Carbone

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Department of Health Policy–The London School of Economics and Political Sciences, CPEC–Care Policy and Evaluation Center, St Clement’s Ln, London WC2A 2HD, UK)

  • Massimo Santinello

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Some LGBTQIA+ people, after coming out, experience marginalization and homelessness due to rejection and discrimination from their family and community. The increase in support requests led to the creation of LGBTQIA+ temporary shelter homes worldwide. This study aims to explore the functioning and effectiveness of shelters, analyzing the experiences of staff members in Italy. Methods: Focus groups were held with a total of 15 staff members (age range: 32–53) working in three shelters for LGBTQIA+ people. Data were analyzed qualitatively through the grounded theory methodology. Results: Data coding showed five final core categories: (1) user characteristics; (2) staff characteristics; (3) community relations; (4) activities carried out by services; (5) criteria for intervention assessment and staff satisfaction. Results revealed some criticalities in the effectiveness of these services, particularly the difficulty in achieving autonomy for users, a weakness attributable to the non-exhaustive training of staff members and the funding discontinuity. Conclusion: To improve the efficacy of shelters, this study emphasizes the necessity to (a) carry out an analysis of the vulnerability of the local LGBTQIA+ community, (b) establish a stable network with local services (NHS system), and (c) implement staff members’ psychological training.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6214-:d:1178033
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/13/6214/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/13/6214/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Fau Rosati & Valentina Coletta & Jessica Pistella & Cristiano Scandurra & Fiorenzo Laghi & Roberto Baiocco, 2021. "Experiences of Life and Intersectionality of Transgender Refugees Living in Italy: A Qualitative Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-15, November.
    5. 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.
    6. Cristiano Scandurra & Agostino Carbone & Roberto Baiocco & Selene Mezzalira & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Vincenzo Bochicchio, 2021. "Gender Identity Milestones, Minority Stress and Mental Health in Three Generational Cohorts of Italian Binary and Nonbinary Transgender People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, August.
    7. repec:mpr:mprres:8027 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. April Joy Damian & Delilah Ponce & Angel Ortiz-Siberon & Zeba Kokan & Ryan Curran & Brandon Azevedo & Melanie Gonzalez, 2022. "Understanding the Health and Health-Related Social Needs of Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Photovoice Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. 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).
    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. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Brodie Fraser & Elinor Chisholm & Nevil Pierse, 2021. "“You’re so powerless”: Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ people’s experiences before becoming homeless in Aotearoa New Zealand," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Daniela Lemmo & Maria Luisa Martino & Anna Rosa Donizzetti & Maria Francesca Freda & Daniela Caso, 2022. "The Relationship between Healthcare Providers and Preventive Practices: Narratives on Access to Cancer Screening," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, September.
    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. 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).
    9. 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.
    10. 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).
    11. Cristiano Scandurra & Concetta Esposito & Francesco Fantacci & Lorenzo Borrello & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Daniel Giunti & Paolo Antonelli, 2023. "Social Support, Identity Affirmation, and Psychological Well-Being: A Developmental and Intersectional Comparison between Italian Cisgender and Non-Binary People with Bisexual Orientation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    12. Rew, Lynn & Slesnick, Natasha & Johnson, Karen & Aguilar, Rodolfo & Cengiz, Adem, 2019. "Positive attributes and life satisfaction in homeless youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 1-8.
    13. Axe, Jo & Childs, Elizabeth & Manion, Kathleen, 2020. "In search of employment: Tackling youth homelessness and unemployment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    14. Isobel Anderson & Masa Filipovic & Joe Finnerty, 2016. "Researching Homelessness: Challenging Exclusion?," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(4), pages 1-4.
    15. Alex Abramovich & Nelson Pang & Amanda Moss & Carmen H Logie & Michael Chaiton & Sean A Kidd & Hayley A Hamilton, 2021. "Investigating the impacts of COVID-19 among LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, September.
    16. Fau Rosati & Maric Martin Lorusso & Jessica Pistella & Guido Giovanardi & Bianca Di Giannantonio & Marta Mirabella & Riccardo Williams & Vittorio Lingiardi & Roberto Baiocco, 2022. "Non-Binary Clients’ Experiences of Psychotherapy: Uncomfortable and Affirmative Approaches," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-17, November.
    17. 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).
    18. 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).
    19. DeChants, Jonah P. & Shelton, Jama & Anyon, Yolanda & Bender, Kimberly, 2022. "“I just want to move forward”: Themes of resilience among LGBTQ young adults experiencing family rejection and housing insecurity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    20. Gallardo, Kathryn R. & Santa Maria, Diane & Narendorf, Sarah & Markham, Christine M. & Swartz, Michael D. & Batiste, Charles M., 2020. "Access to healthcare among youth experiencing homelessness: Perspectives from healthcare and social service providers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).

    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:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6214-:d:1178033. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.