Homelessness is a complex and gendered experience. To understand this complexity, novel theoretical frameworks and appropriate research methods are required. Most women living without homes have experienced some form of abuse or mental health issues before becoming, being or exiting homelessness and there is high prevalence of trauma in this vulnerable population. Researchers investigating women's homelessness need to ensure the research process is not retraumatising. This paper proposes a theoretical framework that combines self-determination theory (SDT) and photo-elicitation to support and guide research conducted with women who are at risk of negative effects of power imbalances and retraumatisation in research. The framework offers new opportunities to sensitively study women's homelessness by leveraging a strengths-based premise and empowering procedures to increase women's control in the research process. Embedding this method within the SDT research framework repositions women from objects of research to being competent, autonomous, active and empowered agents in the research process.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	self-determination theory, photo-elicitation, homeless women
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Health services and systems
Research Field:	Mental health services
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Provision of health and support services
Objective Field:	Mental health services
UTAS Author:	Phipps, M (Mrs Monique Phipps)
UTAS Author:	Dalton, L (Associate Professor Lisa Dalton)
UTAS Author:	Maxwell, H (Dr Hazel Maxwell)
UTAS Author:	Cleary, M (Professor Michelle Cleary)
ID Code:	140272
Year Published:	2021
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	Nursing
Deposited On:	2020-08-05
Last Modified:	2022-07-07
Downloads:	0