Family transitions to homelessness: a qualitative approach.

OBJECTIVES: to characterize the homeless families who use a Public Shower Room; identify significant life events/phenomena for the family's transition to homelessness; understand the relationship between significant life events; identify future expectations of respondents. METHODS: an exploratory, descriptive study using the interview and thematic content analysis. Sample consisted of public shower room users. RESULTS: mental illness, social, personal and family factors justify the transition of subjects to homelessness. The total absence of hopelessness alternates with expectations for the future based on resilience and hope. Final Considerations: we highlight in the study the self-determination expressed in small expressions of the narrative, on the one hand, as well as aspects related to the evolution of family relationships, on the other.