Surviving in Detroit: Mental Health Implications for Men Experiencing Homelessness after the Death of a Parent

Background and Purpose: Researchers estimate that since 1999, when the number of homeless older adults in the United States was an estimated 120,000, over the next three decades this number could rise to 800,000 based on the large population of aging adults (McDonald et. al, 2008). According to the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (2013), in 2013 over 2,900 older adults (55 years or older) experienced homelessness in the city of Detroit. In Michigan and around the country more older adults are experiencing homelessness, some newly homeless and others chronically. For the newly homeless, research indicates that it occurs due to a combination of vulnerability factors and a trigger event, often an eviction, death of a spouse or divorce, and retirement and the loss of income (McDonald et. al, 2008). The purpose of this study is to gain insight and perspective on the experiences of older adult men living in Detroit who suffered homelessness after losing a parent or parental figure.

Methods: The research team set out to conduct qualitative interviews with primary participants, that is, men between the ages of 45 and 65 who experienced homelessness after the death of a parent, and practitioners who had worked in homeless recovery services for at least one year in Detroit. Primary participants were recruited during routine homeless recovery services intake by collaborating practitioners. Practitioners were recruited through word of mouth by one of the researchers who had previously interned at the collaborating agency. Researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with all study participants (men who experienced homelessness (n=10), and homeless recovery service providers (n=5), focusing on their perspectives on and/or experience with homelessness. Additionally, men experiencing homelessness completed two social support scales, one thinking about their social supports before the death of their parent, and the other thinking about their social supports after the death of their parent. Utilizing a grounded theory approach, researchers independently analyzed data for key themes, and then met together to discuss findings. 

Results: After content analysis of interviews, strategies of survival emerged in both mental health and physical well-being domains. Practitioners and primary participants alike elaborated on the information sharing that occurs within populations of people experiencing homelessness, accessing needed services and resources, and ways in which people spend their down time. Additionally, themes of identity were present, having both mental health and service navigation implications.

Conclusions and Implications: The themes of survival and identity present day-to-day implications for both individuals experiencing homelessness and practitioners as they work together to navigate the process of regaining stable housing. In particular, issues of documented forms of identity such as social security cards or state identification cards are crucial, not only to apply for housing, but also for allowing people to feel legitimized as human beings with rights and dignity. Policy makers and practitioners should be aware of the challenges associated with maintaining or obtaining forms of identification, and the negative impact that the loss of or changes in identity can have on the process of being rehoused.