부산대학교 도서관

Homelessness and substance use are largely accepted as associated social issues, with an array of literature across national and international contexts reporting they are conflated and perceived to be co-existing. Existing research indicates that individuals who are homeless experience disproportionally higher rates of substance use issues, compared to general populations. However, the evidence base in Northern Ireland (NI) is currently limited, with little known about the nature of the relationship between homelessness and substance use. This study sought to enhance the local knowledge base by exploring the reciprocal and multifaceted relationship between homelessness and substance use in NI, with individuals who were homeless and practitioners who work within this sector. Exploration of substance use as a pathway to becoming homeless and also how homelessness contributes to substance use behaviours were central to this study. Theoretical concepts of social selection and social adaptation were pivotal in influencing the research design and supporting the interpretation of findings. This allowed a more inclusive examination of how substance use behaviours are positioned within the whole homeless experience and contributory factors which are associated with these pathways. This study adopted a mixed methods, concurrent convergence approach, within a pragmatic paradigm. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to promote depth and triangulation of findings. The quantitative component incorporated surveys (n=595) with individuals who were homeless across 48 support projects in NI. Univariate and non-parametric bivariate analysis was conducted to explore associations between variables. The qualitative phase of this study comprised of two parts. Part one involved semi-structured interviews (n=30) with individuals who were homeless and participated in the surveys. In part two, practitioners (n=11) who worked in homeless organisations in NI participated in focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to interrogate the qualitative data. This thesis has argued that there is a complex and multifactorial interrelationship between homelessness and substance use. Problematic substance use is related to a downward trajectory into other social and economic issues, precipitating a cumulative and cascading pathway to homelessness. Furthermore, becoming and being homeless is associated with the development, continuation, and exacerbation of problematic substance use. The experience of homelessness can impact behaviour, where individuals need to adapt to this environment and substance use is a conduit in this process. Understanding the association between homelessness and substance use may be beneficial to prevention and early intervention considerations in policy and practice.