Critical Incidents That Facilitate Homeless People's Transition Off the Streets

Employing Flanagan's critical incident methodology (J. C. Flanagan, 1954), self-reports from 17 participants who successfully exited from the street lifestyle to mainstream society revealed 314 incidents that helped or hindered their transition. The incidents were sorted into 19 facilitating categories and 4 hindering categories. Results were discussed in light of the following themes: (1) establishing supportive relationships, (2) discovering some measure of self-esteem, (3) accepting personal responsibility, (4) accomplishing mainstream lifestyle goals, and (5) changing perceptions. The implications of the categorical map depicting this transition are discussed in relation to research and to those who assist in this passage.

Publication Date: 
2002
Pages: 
293
Volume: 
11
Issue: 
4
Journal Name: 
Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless