The Role of Occupational Therapy for Homeless Women and Women At-Risk of Homelessness
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University of St Augustine for Health Sciences SOAR @ USA Student Capstone Projects Student Research Winter 1-6-2020 The Role of Occupational Therapy for Homeless Women and Women At-Risk of Homelessness Kelcey Storkersen University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences DOI: https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.FVVV9088 Follow this and additional works at: https://soar.usa.edu/capstones Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons, Social Justice Commons, and the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Storkersen, K. (2020). The Role of Occupational Therapy for Homeless Women and Women At-Risk of Homelessness. [Doctoral project, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences]. SOAR @ USA: Student Capstone Projects Collection. https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.FVVV9088 This Capstone is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at SOAR @ USA. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of SOAR @ USA. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 1 The Role of Occupational Therapy for Homeless Women and Women At-Risk of Homelessness Kelcey M. Storkersen Department of Occupational Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences A Capstone Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences October, 2020 ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 2 The Role of Occupational Therapy for Homeless Women and Women At-Risk of Homelessness Kelcey M. Storkersen Department of Occupational Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences has been approved October, 2020 APPROVED: Susan MacDermott, OTD, OTR/L, Doctoral Coordinator Becki Cohill, OTD, OTR/L, Doctoral Coordinator Erin Schwier, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, Program Director ACCEPTED AND SIGNED: ______________________________________________ Susan MacDermott, OTD, OTR/L, Doctoral Coordinator ______________________________________________ Becki Cohill, OTD, OTR/L, Doctoral Coordinator ______________________________________________ Erin Schwier, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, Program Director ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 3 Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6 Background ................................................................................................................................. 6 Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................................... 8 Connection to Theory and Rationale for Proposed Project ........................................................ 8 Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 10 Definition of Terms................................................................................................................... 10 Assumptions .............................................................................................................................. 11 Limitations ................................................................................................................................ 11 Delimitations ............................................................................................................................. 12 Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................................ 13 Community Reintegration ......................................................................................................... 13 Predictive Identifiers for Homelessness.................................................................................... 16 Role Transitions ........................................................................................................................ 20 Chapter 3: Project Description ...................................................................................................... 25 Participants ................................................................................................................................ 25 Materials ................................................................................................................................... 25 Design ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Timeline .................................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 4: Results & Analysis ...................................................................................................... 29 Phase I: Needs Assessment ....................................................................................................... 29 Phase II: Qualitative Research Study ........................................................................................ 35 Theme 1: Concern About Safety and Meaningfulness with Employment ............................... 38 Theme 2: Financial Restrictions Impacting Leisure ................................................................. 40 Theme 3: Disparity between Desire/Need for Social Roles and Limited Occupational Roles 42 Theme 4: Decreased Motivation for Self-Care ......................................................................... 43 Chapter 5: Discussion ................................................................................................................... 46 Needs Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 46 Program Proposal ...................................................................................................................... 47 Program Proposal for Occupation-Based Client Needs ............................................................ 49 Summary of Findings ................................................................................................................ 52 Chapter 6: Conclusion................................................................................................................... 56 References ..................................................................................................................................... 60 Appendix A……...……………………………………………………………………………….70 ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 4 Appendix B……...……………………………………………………………………………….71 Appendix C……...……………………………………………………………………………….72 Appendix D……...……………………………………………………………………………….73 Appendix E……...……………………………………………………………………………….76 Appendix F.……...……………………………………………………………………………….80 Appendix G……...……………………………………………………………………………….82 Appendix H……...……………………………………………………………………………….84 Appendix I……...………………………………………………………………….…………….85 ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 5 Copyright © Kelcey M. Storkersen, 2020 all rights reserved ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 6 The Role of Occupational Therapy for Homeless Women and Women At-Risk of Homelessness Chapter 1: Introduction According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (2020), 151, 278 individuals were homeless in California in 2019. The current impact of COVID-19 has undoubtedly increased these numbers in 2020, although an accurate census cannot yet be determined (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020). Additionally, 40% of homeless adults are women, indicating that there is a significant number of women who are at-risk of homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020). The purpose of this literature review is to provide an overview of the existing literature specific to women who are homeless and at-risk of homelessness. Background In this paper, several different theories and trends in research will be highlighted. The Occupational Justice Framework underscores the importance of empowering populations who are marginalized, like people who are financially impacted, to participate in the daily occupations that are valuable and meaningful to them personally (Durocher et al., 2014). The KAWA Model uses different metaphors to describe the life narrative of an individual and to identify barriers that can be overcome (Richardson et al., 2010). The KAWA Model can be particularly beneficial for someone who has experienced poverty or homelessness when understanding circumstantial barriers and identifying other opportunities that may lead to future successes. Finally, the Social Stress Framework will be explored to evaluate how stigmatization and stress can result in mental health difficulties for this population (Huey et al., 2014). Therefore, all of these theories will provide evidence for how occupational therapists (OTs) can benefit this population through evidence-informed services. ROLE OF OT FOR WOMEN AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 7 There are several themes that will be emphasized within this paper in addition to theories. Community reintegration is one theme that will be highlighted in the paper; for many women who have experienced homelessness or poverty have also experienced difficulty transitioning back into the community and managing social stigmas (Groton et al., 2017). Predictive identifiers for homelessness that are examined in literature will also be expanded on, for difficulties in mental health, domestic