Examining the increase of families becoming homeless in Ireland and the effect on child wellbeing

Authors

Dolan, Avril

Issue Date

2016

Degree

BA (Hons) in Social Science

Publisher

Dublin Business School

Rights

Items in Esource are protected by copyright. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/copyright holder.

Abstract

This independent qualitative research project will assess the key issues which have contributed to the increase of homelessness among families in the greater Dublin area. This study will also address that homelessness has an effect on child wellbeing and mental health. The participants comprised of 5 professionals who work with the homeless through relevant organizations. In order to collect rich, in-depth qualitative data, semi structured interviews were carried out using 16 open ended questions and thematic analysis was used to encode the data. The research study found factors such as an insufficient governmental state response to the homeless crisis, that socio economic factors had also contributed to the increase of families becoming homeless but moreover the negative physical and mental affects which homelessness was having on families and their children. Author keywords: Homelessness, families, child, Ireland, wellbeing