‘Am I Not Human?': Using Photovoice to Examine Homeless Women's Experiences of Coping with Social Stigma

Background and Purpose

Women experiencing homelessness in the United States often encounter social stigma including shame, exclusion, discrimination, and isolation. For women experiencing homelessness, being labeled “homeless” often consequently results in their lives being restricted to particular places, activities, and life paths. This study utilized an innovative research methodology, Photovoice to examine coping strategies and strengths utilized by homeless women encountering social stigma. Very little research has been conducted that highlights strengths within homeless populations experiencing stigma. This study helps to fill this gap in research by examining: a.) homeless women’s lived experiences with stigma, and b.) the strategies and resources they utilize to cope with stigma.   

Methods
Using a qualitative research design, ten women (n=10) ages 21-58 staying in a temporary emergency shelter were recruited from a major city located in the Midwest. Participants were provided with cameras and asked to take photographs describing their experiences and perceptions of being homeless and to discuss these experiences in a focus group and individual interview. The participants attended an initial group introduction, a photography lesson, a group photo-sharing and discussion session, an individual interview, and a public exhibit of their photos. Data for analysis included individual and group session transcripts, photos, and observational notes. Thematic analysis was used to identify important topics and patterns that emerged in the data related to the research questions. Qualitative analysis software Nvivo9 was utilized to assist in data reduction and for the generation of themes across the data. 

Results
Main themes that emerged from the data included participants’ feeling excluded from public spaces and socially unequal to non-homeless individuals. To cope with stigma, participants noted the importance of finding social support from their peers and community services. Participants also reported that being involved in the Photovoice project promoted positive self-esteem and peer support, and they felt empowered to express their perspectives to policy makers and the broader society in which they live.

Conclusions and Implications
These findings provide insight into homeless women’s lived experiences with social stigma and the strategies and resources they utilize to help them cope. Additionally, this study demonstrates the utility of the Photovoice methodology as a research and practice tool for social workers working with women experiencing homelessness.