Boredom and Homelessness
Boredom has been described as a central feature of the experience of homelessness, and one that is so profound that it can lead to hopelessness, suicide ideation, and difficulties in coping with prior traumatic experiences. In this research, we describe these experiences during and following homelessness, and make recommendations for practice and policy to create systems that enable individuals to access meaningful activity during homelessness and after a person secures a tenancy.
“It’s like your days are empty and yet there’s life all around”: A mixed methods, multi-site study exploring boredom during and following homelessness
In this research funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, we interviewed 164 individuals who were either unhoused or housed following homelessness using mixed methods. Our findings provide evidence that boredom is a serious problem for individuals during homelessness, and is not resolved with the security of a tenancy. This research highlights the detrimental influence that boredom can impose in the lives of individuals who experience homelessness.
Boredom and meaningful activity in adults experiencing homelessness: A mixed-methods study
In this pilot research with 13 unhoused individuals, we identified that boredom was a central experience of homelessness that required further study. We used the findings of this research as a foundation for conducting a larger scale study across three cities described above.
Boredom and homelessness: A scoping review
In this research, we conducted a scoping review of existing literature exploring boredom among persons experiencing homelessness. We included 17 articles, which are synthesized in our report. Five themes emerged from the included studies: Boredom as a feature of the homeless experience ; Coping with boredom Impact of boredom Environment as a determinant of boredom ; and Interventions for boredom . Only two of the included articles focused on boredom as a central construct, with all others identifying boredom as an experience of homeless persons while investigating related phenomena.