Understanding Trauma Normativeness, Normalization, and Help Seeking in Homeless Mothers. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brush, Barbara L.; Gultekin, Laura E.; Dowdell, Elizabeth B.; Saint Arnault, Denise M.; Satterfield, Katherine
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 24:Number 13(2018)
• Page Start: 1523
• Page End: 1539
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: trauma exposure -- family homelessness -- interpersonal violence; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801217738583
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Although trauma-informed approaches guide services to families experiencing homelessness, more emphasis is placed on securing housing than addressing underlying trauma contributing to housing instability. Examining the stories of 29 homeless and/or unstably housed mothers within the broader literature on family trauma and violence, chronic illness, and cultural aspects of family functioning, we define the process of trauma normativeness and normalization that may occur with repeated trauma experiences and argue that rehousing efforts must include concomitant attention to trauma and to understanding how individual, family, community, and cultural factors influence help-seeking behaviors in this vulnerable and growing population.