Understanding the connection between the ‘Āina, strengths, and houselessness among previously houseless Native Hawaiian and Micronesian families

ABSTRACT

Houselessness in Hawai‘i is a structural public health concern, and strategies are needed to address the issue. Using a strength-based approach, this study sought to examine protective factors within a family resilience framework for formerly houseless Native Hawaiian and Micronesian families. Through in-depth, qualitative interviews with previously houseless Native Hawaiian and Micronesian families, this study explored both challenges and protective factors. The data were coded using the coding and themes based on previous research that developed a framework for family resilience. The study found that the families did utilize many of the protective factors in the theoretical framework. The study also uncovered a strong connection to the ‘āina and the impact of historical trauma. Implications for strength-based interventions and further research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Resilience
• homelessness
• family resilience

Additional information

Funding

The project described was supported in part by the grant number U54MD007601 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which is acomponent of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and by the Hawai`i Medical Services Foundation grant CF-021805. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official view of the funders.