Abstract
The fastest growing subgroup in the homeless population is families headed by single women (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009; Rosenheck, et.al.,1999; Hodnicki, Horner, Boyle, 1992). These homeless mothers may use unique strategies that assist them through their experience of being homeless. In order for there to be a better understanding of how to assist homeless mothers, the coping mechanisms that are used by them must be identified. Eight homeless mothers and two homeless fathers were recruited through a family shelter and community center in the County of Tuolumne. The purpose of the study was to explore coping strategies of homeless mothers who had children between the ages of 0 and 18. Two fathers asked to participate in the study so their contributions are included. The participants were between the ages of 21 to 39. Five participants were married and the remaining five were single at the time of the interviews. There are four important findings that were revealed in this research study. The first finding is that homeless parents go through similar phases of homelessness as non-parenting homeless adults, and they often use the same coping mechanisms in each phase of their homelessness (denial, substance abuse, reliance on family and friends, avoidance of available community resources). Finding number two in the research was that regardless of age, marital status, or gender, causes of homelessness are the same for homeless mothers and non-mothers. Some of these causes are poverty, alcohol or drug use, domestic violence, weak social networks, and an absence of knowledge about available resources in their communities. The third finding was that hope is crucial in overcoming homelessness. The fourth and final finding was that homeless mothers have unique needs (such as the need for prenatal care, assistance in giving birth, parenting classes, and child care) when compared with all other subgroups of homeless populations (Stoner, 1983; Merves, 1992; Rosenheck, et. al.,1999). Therefore, the focus of future research may not need to be on the coping mechanisms of homeless mothers but on their particular needs.