Dashora Pushpanjali, Kiaras Shiva
Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, 302 Human Ecology Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2N1, Canada.
Department of Indigenous Studies, University of Alberta, Pembina Hall, Edmonton, AB T6G 2N1, Canada.
Eval Program Plann. 2025 Oct;112:102635. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2025.102635. Epub 2025 Jun 13.
Transitional Living Programs are popular interventions in Canada and the United States, for youth who are homeless or emerging from the foster care system. Some researchers have emphasized that an increased effectiveness of Transitional Living Programs is possible with an underlying philosophy such as Housing First or harm reduction. However, literature on the impact of these types of programs on homeless youth is limited. Given the lack of knowledge in this area, the aim of our longitudinal qualitative study was to understand the impact of a long-term transitional housing program, operating from a Housing First and harm reduction philosophy, on homeless youth. The 20-unit transitional housing program is in a large metropolitan Canadian city and provides support on-site. Homeless youth between the ages of 18-24, admitted into the transitional housing program were eligible for participation in the study. Fifteen youth participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews and assessments at baseline and seven youth were followed-up with 6 months later. The data was analyzed using the six-step process of thematic analysis. Youth reported that living in the transitional housing program over time contributed to decreased substance use and positively influenced their educational and career outcomes, interpersonal relationships, and health and well-being. Perhaps the most significant impact described by youth was the non-judgmental environment that parallels the Housing First and harm reduction philosophy of the program. Further, close relationships with staff were emphasized as a major driver for positive changes in participants' outcomes over time. The current study also found substantial need for further research in areas such as aftercare for youth leaving transitional housing and the need for support for youth who must leave these programs prematurely.
过渡性生活项目在加拿大和美国很受欢迎，主要针对无家可归或刚脱离寄养系统的青少年。一些研究人员强调，若采用诸如“住房第一”或减少伤害等基本理念，过渡性生活项目的效果可能会增强。然而，关于这类项目对无家可归青少年影响的文献有限。鉴于该领域知识的匮乏，我们这项纵向定性研究的目的是了解一个长期过渡性住房项目对无家可归青少年的影响，该项目秉持“住房第一”和减少伤害的理念运作。这个拥有20个单元的过渡性住房项目位于加拿大一个大城市，提供现场支持。年龄在18至24岁之间、入住过渡性住房项目的无家可归青少年有资格参与本研究。15名青少年在基线时参与了深入的半结构化访谈和评估，6个月后对其中7名青少年进行了随访。数据采用主题分析的六个步骤进行分析。青少年报告称，随着时间推移，居住在过渡性住房项目中有助于减少物质使用，并对他们的教育和职业成果、人际关系以及健康和幸福感产生积极影响。青少年描述的或许最显著的影响是与该项目“住房第一”和减少伤害理念相契合的无评判环境。此外，与工作人员的密切关系被强调为随着时间推移参与者成果产生积极变化的主要推动因素。本研究还发现，在诸如为离开过渡性住房的青少年提供后续照护以及为必须提前离开这些项目的青少年提供支持等领域，仍有大量进一步研究的需求。
