Understanding the pervasiveness of trauma within a housing facility for people living with HIV

• Published in: Housing studies Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 1073 - 1087
• Main Authors: Koehn, Katrina, Collins, Alexandra B., Burgess, Heather, Von Bischoffshausen, Otto, Marziali, Megan, Salters, Kate A., Hogg, Robert S., Parashar, Surita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Harlow Routledge 02.07.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Ethnicity; Health status; HIV; HIV/AIDS; Housing; Human immunodeficiency virus; Marginality; Mental health; Minority & ethnic groups; qualitative; Qualitative research; Race; structural vulnerability; Support services; Supportive housing; Trauma; trauma-informed; Traumatic life events
• ISSN: 0267-3037; 1466-1810
• DOI: 10.1080/02673037.2019.1648773

Trauma exposure is highly prevalent among marginalized people living with HIV (PLHIV). Trauma influences experiences in environments where PLHIV reside and access support services, in addition to impacting mental and physical health. This qualitative study of 24 PLHIV examined how trauma and socio-structural inequities shaped participants' experiences living in a supportive housing facility for PLHIV, impacted health-related outcomes, and affected engagement in services. Participant narratives highlighted the frequency of traumatic experiences, which were often related to participants' social locations (e.g., gender, race, and ethnicity). These experiences complicated how participants engaged with other residents and accessed support services within the housing facility. Participants reported self-isolation as a mechanism to avoid re-traumatization through interactions within the building, and to work towards attainment of what they viewed to be a 'normal' life. Supportive housing facilities that incorporate trauma-informed practices have the potential to attenuate the negative impacts of social marginalization within housing environments.