Background: Families with children are one of the largest subgroups of the homeless population. Limited literature addresses the impact of homelessness on the single-parent families’ abilities to function. Community and public health nurses have opportunities to care for single-parent families struggling with the plight of homelessness. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the influences of homelessness on the process of family life from the perspective of the single-parent. A gap in knowledge supported an additional aim to discover how the homeless single-parent perceives the impact of homelessness on the present and future life of the family. Lastly, the study aimed to conceptualize the influences of homelessness for the single-parent family. Methodology: This qualitative study utilized a semi-structured, face-to-face interview approach to collect data. Glaser’s qualitative grounded theory methodology guided data collection and analysis. Constant comparative analysis with open and axial coding identified emergent themes and categories until data saturation was achieved. A letter was distributed at two Midwestern homeless shelters to recruit homeless single-parents. Thus, this purposive approach led to 15 participants meeting the inclusion criteria for the study. The results of this study examined the complexity of homelessness for a single-parent family through the interpretive nature and analysis of their narratives. Themes identified include: action, reaction, and interaction, wake-up calls, paradox of influences, parental dichotomy, self-awareness, and resourcefulness. The principle findings of the study identified homelessness as a dynamic and fluid phenomenon for the single-parent family. The multifaceted influence the single-parent homeless families offer explanations for their needs, which can enhance appropriate interventions and policy development.
