Surviving against the odds: a qualitative exploration of the resilience of adults experiencing homelessness in Accra, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Most research on the homeless population has focused on the negative attributes and adversities they face. While these are important issues for research, focusing on them alone through a deficit lens may further advance the belief that such people have little or no capacities and skills for survival. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the resilience of people experiencing homelessness in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with 27 purposively sampled homeless adults aged 18 + years. Interview data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified from the data: internal/individual resilience including their personal strengths; survival through resourcefulness including diversified income sources; and aspects of the participants' social and physical ecology (facilitative environment) that protect against homelessness-related adversities. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides some valuable insights into sources of resiliency for people experiencing homelessness in Ghana. The study's findings highlight the need for government to provide adequate housing, resources, and targeted policies and interventions for the homeless population in Accra and other similar settings.