Interpersonal and structural complexities among women experiencing homelessness in a U.S.-Mexico border community

The life complexities of women experiencing homelessness warrants further exploration as there is insufficient information on their life’s interpersonal and structural challenges. The aim of this study is multifold: to explore the experiences of unhoused women in El Paso, Texas, a city that borders with Ciudad Juarez Mexico, to identify barriers to health and social services, to promote agency, and improve access to care. Recruitment of participants was done through partner agencies in selecting a sample of 15 Hispanic and 15 Non-Hispanic women who were experiencing homelessness and residing in local shelters in the spring of 2019. The Beck Depression Inventory II, General Self-Efficacy (GSE), and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scales were administered to enhance understanding and knowledge on the characteristics of women with a lived experience of homelessness to learn about their interpersonal and adverse experiences and future outlook. Feminist perspective was employed as part of the theoretical framework to further explore the interpersonal and structural realities of women experiencing homelessness. Three major themes emerged: relational adversity and intimate partner violence; lack of social support; and challenges related to transitioning out of homelessness. Implications highlighted in the findings will inform health and human service providers, and decision makers about the needs of women and the importance of person-centered carer for this population. It is critical that social workers, human service practitioners, policy makers, researchers, and the general public pause, listen and understand the realities that women experiencing homelessness face and their resiliency to ensure quality services to support them transition and end homelessness.