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Social Services Professionals' Views of Barriers to Supporting Homeless Noncustodial Fathers
Author(s) -
Rogers Tia.,
Rogers Charles R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
family relations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1741-3729
pISSN - 0197-6664
DOI - 10.1111/fare.12345
Subject(s) - social work , psychological intervention , service provider , qualitative research , psychology , grounded theory , population , service (business) , sociology , political science , psychiatry , business , social science , demography , marketing , law
Objective To investigate barriers to service for homeless noncustodial fathers from the perspective of social service professionals who work directly to assist men with securing housing while meeting the demands of fatherhood. Background The population of homeless fathers in the United States is increasing. Longitudinal studies show that although homeless noncustodial fathers and mothers face similar risk factors and barriers to services, research on minimizing risk factors and barriers for noncustodial fathers is limited compared with that for noncustodial mothers. Method The sample included 7 administrators and 12 direct service professionals engaged with fathers transitioning from homelessness. Data were collected via face‐to‐face, semistructured interviews and analyzed using a qualitative inductive approach. Multiple‐cycle coding was used to capture emerging themes. Results Three major themes, encompassing emotional, relational, and systemic factors, emerged regarding participants' experiences serving homeless noncustodial fathers. Conclusion Effective approaches to supporting fathers require empathy, relationship building, and collaboration between service providers and policymakers. Implications Future policies and interventions should be based on input from direct service professionals and homeless noncustodial fathers themselves, with the aim of best supporting their efforts toward securing housing while meeting the demands of fatherhood.