Référence
Moffet-Bourassa, M., Marcotte, J., & F.-Dufour, I. (2026). Identity construction by justice-involved homeless women: an exploration of the role of traumatic experiences in the process of desisting from crime and housing stabilization. International Journal on Homelessness, 6(2), 1–24.
Résumé
The experiences of justice-involved homeless women (JIHW) and the meanings they attach to these experiences are integral to their present and future identities. However, the ways in which a person perceives and interprets his or her experiences remain inextricably linked to culture, suggesting that certain experiences may also influence identity construction. Several contemporary studies identify individual characteristics that may be stigmatized, influencing the underlying meaning-making process essential to the ongoing formation of identity. For example, homelessness often leads to stigmatizing that may influence how individuals define themselves. In this qualitative study, the life narratives of five JIHW engaged in the dual process of exiting homelessness and desisting crime were analyzed to identify how these individuals describe the influence of their traumatic experiences in the construction of their identity. The analysis shows that JIHW go through five identity positions as they cope with traumatic experiences. These results highlight the relevance of identity-related dimensions and narrative approaches to understanding the social affiliation process of JIHW.
