The After-School Occupations of Homeless Youth: Three Narrative Accounts

SUMMARY

This study describes the after-school and weekend time use of young adolescents residing in a temporary shelter for homeless families in Los Angeles County. Data were collected from three individual interviews, focus groups with 24 young adolescents and one-week time use journals. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the constant comparative method. Three narrative profiles were constructed from these data. Emergent themes and concepts describing the occupational participation of young adolescents during the non-school hours were summarized into three major concepts. These were the following: (a) Occupational Necessity: Social Intensity; (b) Boredom and Shelter Living: Occupational Advantages and Disadvantages; and, (c) Designing a Life: Taking Control. Implications for occupational science, occupational therapy, and public policy were identified with relevant recommendations.

KEYWORDS:

• Homeless youth
• health
• occupation building