• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.31-56
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• 2011

This study was done to identify experience of young adults street homeless aged 20-30s by knowing meaning and structure of empirical phenomena for procedure that how young adults became street homeless according to bio-psycho-social change. Five young adults street homeless were recruited who were on the air of SBS program, 'That why we want to know: young hope on the road-Young adults homeless are increased(Saturday July 26, 2008)', and from monthly magazine published by Homeless Center in Seoul. And phenomenological and heuristic Human Becoming Research Methodology of Parse was applied in this study. Although young adults street homeless made an opportunity for job, the working poor made him street homeless who suffer from social stigma and exclusion, but he struggled for self-support with social care. The quality of life for young adult street homeless depends on the social care under human rights with the bio-psycho-social aspects.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.51-79
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• 2006

This study is to explore how the bondage of street homeless is made and what it implies. In order to do so, this study does participation-observation for the life of the homeless on the street and drop-in-center according to the ethno-graphic research tradition. Starting from the August of 2005, during the period of six months, we did a field study on the actual conditions of facilities for the homeless in the major parts in Seoul and collected the interview data through the interview-in-depth with 8 homeless people. Following the data-analysis procedures of Spradley(1979), we identified the main domains related to the factors for the bonding of street homeless. These domains show us how the homeless people who were left in the whole new world of homelessness just manage to tide over the crisis of identity and survival. The bondage of street homeless in the situation of street homelessness has been shown to have these following meanings: (1) the cultural significance as their second home, (2) the meaning of an alternative group to be admitted, (3) the maintenance of self-identity by way of distinction in the group. According to these, the self-identity of homeless is dual and, therefore, the meaning and interpretation of their relationship is also dual. This dualistic attitude comes from the process in which the homeless acquire the alliance-resource for the very survival and self-existence. The results of this study confirm that the homeless suffer from the lack of true relationship as well as resources. This study suggests that the supporting policies and services for the street homeless should be achieved qualitatively and integrated under a long range plan.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Information about the characteristics of street-living versus shelter-residing youth is vital for tailoring prevention and intervention efforts to the unique needs of runaway and homeless youth. The present study compared two samples of youth [street-living (n=73) versus shelter-residing (n=205)], between the ages of 14 to 17 years, on behavioral and emotional factors and service use. Based on the different characteristics of the two groups, the predictors explaining the living status of the runaways and homeless youth were explored. In general, street-living youth reported more severe substance use, depressive symptoms, and risky sexual behavior, but less lifetime service involvement compared to shelter-residing youth. The factors that predicted shelter-residing status were related to younger age, prior service care experience, more knowledge about HIV, and engaging in less delinquent and risky behavior. Given the little overlap among youth in service involvement and the greater severity faced by street-living youth, the conclusions highlight the need for increased funding and attention towards facilitating the ability of street-living youth to find and enter mental health and reintegration services.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.267-274
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• 2011

Objectives: We examined health care disparities in Korean urban homeless people and individual characteristics associated with the utilization of health care. Methods: We selected a sample of 203 homeless individuals at streets, shelters, and drop-in centers in Seoul and Daejeon by a quota sampling method. We surveyed demographic information, information related to using health care, and health status with a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was adopted to identify factors associated with using health care and to reveal health care disparities within the Korean urban homeless population. Results: Among 203 respondents, 89 reported that they had visited health care providers at least once in the past 6 months. Twenty persons (22.5%) in the group that used health care (n = 89) reported feeling discriminated against. After adjustment for age, sex, marital status, educational level, monthly income, perceived health status, Beck Depression Inventory score, homeless period, and other covariates, three factors were significantly associated with medical utilization: female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR, 15.95; 95% CI, 3.97 to 64.04], having three or more diseases (aOR, 24.58; 95% CI, 4.23 to 142.78), and non-street residency (aOR, 11.39; 95% CI, 3.58 to 36.24). Conclusions: Health care disparities in Seoul and Daejeon homeless exist in terms of the main place to stay, physical illnesses, and gender. Under the current homeless support system in South Korea, street homeless have poorer accessibility to health care versus non-street homeless. To provide equitable medical aid for homeless people, strategies to overcome barriers against health care for the street homeless are needed.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.277-278
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• 1999

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.219-243
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• 2005

Homeless people have remained one of the most disadvantaged groups in Korea. Therefore this study aims at examining how the homeless evaluate their quality of life and which factors influence their quality of life. The subjects of this study were 185 homeless adults residing on the street, in the shelter, and in substandard housing in Daejeon Metropolitan City. With a view to collecting the data effectively, different approaches have been taken for each type of homelessness in this study. By using the Korean Version of WHOQOL-BREF(brief version of WHO quality of life measure), this study has examined the current circumstance of the homeless and identified the predictors of their quality of life. The results of this study reconfirm low quality of life of homeless people. Also the results of this study indicate that the important factors influencing their quality of life are age, receipt of public assistance, perceived health status, alcohol use, alcohol addiction, housing type, and recognition by others. Predictors of each domain of quality of life differ to some extent. Statistically significant predictors of physical health are receipt of public assistance, perceived health status, and housing type. Psychological health is significantly influenced by age, receipt of public assistance, perceived health status, housing type, and recognition by others. Significant predictors of social relations are alcohol use, housing type, and recognition by others. Environment is significantly influenced by perceived health status, housing type, and recognition by others. On the basis of the findings of this empirical analysis, some measures conducive to the improvement of quality of life of homeless people are suggested. Only a few studies have been conducted to delve into the quality of life of the displaced group in Korea. In such a context, the significance of this study lies in identifying the circumstances of the homeless as a basic work for upgrading their quality of life on the one hand, and in empirically testing the major predictors of each domain of their quality of life on the other.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.5-31
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• 2013

This study is phenomenological qualitative research about lived experience of recovering alcoholic homeless who had completed Therapeutic Community program. The meaning which is revealed through this study is as in the followed. First, Moving to recovering space. In Therapeutic Community, they have a turning point for new life and new connection with people who watch him carefully. Second, Physical recovery. They are no more lying down on the street. Analogy of Standing can be viewed as being most active in recovery. Third, Positioning on time flow. The recovering of time is represented by accepting past and present as well as looking ahead into the future. Fourth, Settling into network of a relation. They tried to reconnect with society by network of a relation. Their social place is located in a network, not a position. From this present study, the social work implications for the alcoholic homeless are deducted.