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SURVIVING THE STREETS: AN ORIGINAL GROUNDED THEORY OF HOMELESS TRAJECTORIES IN PORTUGAL
Abstract
Subordinated to the key question "what is (are) the main problem(s) and/or concern(s) of homeless people?" this study aimed at the generation of a theoretical model, explanatory of the different processes that embody diverse trajectories, since its emergence to successful exit. Entitled surviving the streets, the generated GT emerged from the analysis of information gathered through complementary observation approaches (e.g., unstructured observation, observation of street interventions), and 96 interviews [homeless people (n = 38), professionals (n = 47), previous homeless people (n = 11)]. In this original conceptual proposal, the predominantly mobilized discursive and behavioral patterns, mobilized with the purpose of resolution of the main troubles homeless face daily, are exposed in a parsimonious, coherent and empirically anchored structure. The section results concerns the presentation of the surface components of the theory generated, task that is inaugurated with the illustration of the three phases [resisting the fragmentation of the life trajectory (phase 1), adapting to the demands of life on the street (phase 2) and (re)configuring a life trajectory (phase 3). For each one of the phases the core characteristics and the distinctive elements are presented, including, the most common manifestations and configurations. The differences among them are also highlighted, in order to make more perceptible the subtle differences between each period. For each level of abstraction considered, the generative referents that shape it, and the elements that typify its uniqueness are analyzed. Illustrations of the narratives of the participants are also included in this description and their major implications are presented. The last section is devoted to the presentation of limitations and potentialities of this study.
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