Understanding the Health and Health-Related Social Needs of Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Photovoice Study

April Joy Damian (), Delilah Ponce, Angel Ortiz-Siberon, Zeba Kokan, Ryan Curran, Brandon Azevedo and Melanie Gonzalez
Additional contact information
April Joy Damian: Weitzman Institute, Community Health Center, Inc., 19 Grand Str., Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Delilah Ponce: Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Angel Ortiz-Siberon: Weitzman Institute, Community Health Center, Inc., 19 Grand Str., Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Zeba Kokan: Weitzman Institute, Community Health Center, Inc., 19 Grand Str., Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Ryan Curran: Weitzman Institute, Community Health Center, Inc., 19 Grand Str., Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Brandon Azevedo: Weitzman Institute, Community Health Center, Inc., 19 Grand Str., Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Melanie Gonzalez: Weitzman Institute, Community Health Center, Inc., 19 Grand Str., Middletown, CT 06457, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-16

Abstract: Purpose: Homelessness is a major public health problem facing millions of youths across the United States (U.S.), with lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ+) youths and youths of color being disproportionately at higher risk. This study obtains an understanding of the health and health-related social needs of youths experiencing homelessness during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A total of 14 youths between the ages of 14 and 24 who (a) lived, worked, or attended school in New Britain, Connecticut (CT) and (b) had at least one experience of homelessness or housing insecurity worked with the research team to conduct a needs assessment regarding youth homelessness. Using photovoice, a community-based participatory research method, participants created photo narratives to share their stories and recommendations for community change. The main goals of photovoice are to enable participants to (1) record and represent their everyday realities; (2) promote critical dialogue and knowledge about person and community strengths and concerns; and (3) reach policy makers. Results: Most of the participants identified as youths of color, and half of the participants identified as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Three major themes that appeared in the youths’ narratives include the following: mental health and substance use challenges, trouble accessing basic human needs, and lack of a social support system. Conclusion: This study uplifts and empowers a vulnerable population to increase visibility around a major public health challenge from their own lived experiences. Despite the challenges that were voiced, many participants shared a sense of hope and resiliency. The major themes endorsed by the youths has the potential of informing practitioners and policy makers of how to better address the needs of youths experiencing homelessness, particularly those most at risk.

Keywords: COVID-19; youth homelessness; health equity; social determinants of health; racial/ethnic minority health; LGBTQ+ health; photovoice; community-based participatory research; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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