A qualitative study that utilized a convenience sample of 29 individuals was conducted to uncover the meaning of health as it is experienced by homeless persons. Analysis revealed that homeless persons have two distinct conceptions of health: the characteristics that describe health, and a comprehensive view of the totality of health expressed in different combinations of health dimensions. A total of ten characteristics that described the essence of health were identified. These characteristics included satisfying basic human needs, having no illness related complaints, doing the work of health, fulfilling a functional role, having a positive self-image and outlook, and being fit. The four distinct perceptions of health that were revealed are: physical dimensions of health exclusively, physical and mental/emotional dimensions of health considered separately, physical and mental/emotional dimensions of health coexistent, and health as a multidimensional process of well being. Respondents also indicated that acute life events associated with feelings of loss preceded their state of homelessness. Generally, the respondents in this study considered themselves healthy.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.59536 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Creators | McCormack, Dianne |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (School of Nursing.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001232492, proquestno: AAIMM63671, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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