Barriers and Opportunities in Accessing Social Care for Women Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Integrative Review

Abstract

Women experiencing homelessness may face heightened vulnerabilities and encounter barriers to accessing social services, which could perpetuate their situation and exacerbate the impact on their physical and mental health. This research aims to identify barriers and opportunities for women experiencing homelessness to access social care services based on a systematic integrative literature review. The inclusion criteria encompassed scientific articles and gray literature, focusing on studies of the access to social care services for women experiencing homelessness. English and Spanish documents from the past 20 years were considered, excluding publications lacking full-text access. The search was conducted until April 30, 2024, across 6 databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Social Services Abstracts, Sociology, and Cochrane. Article quality was assessed before inclusion to mitigate bias. Data analysis employed a narrative approach using categories and subcategories. Thirty-eight publications were included, consisting of 36 articles and 2 theses. These publications predominantly relied on qualitative methods. Two main areas and eight categories emerged, covering structural, institutional, social, and personal barriers and opportunities, with 36 subcategories identified. Study limitations include a predominance of women in the study sample who had access to social care services, making it hard to include those experiencing hidden homelessness. Nonetheless, the research underscores the significance of gender-specific barriers and opportunities in access to social care. The need for gender-sensitive and intersectional policies is emphasized, as well as professional practices and training, to enhance the well-being of women experiencing homelessness and improve their access to services.