Parenting Under Constraint: How Histories of Abuse and Sexual Violence Shape Mothers' Caregiving In a Homeless Shelter

Authors

• Kiera P. Irvin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Kathryn Holland

Second Advisor

Manda Williamson

Date of this Version

Fall 11-2-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Irvin, K.P. (2025). Parenting under constraint: How histories of abuse and sexual violence shape mothers' caregiving in a homeless shelter. Senior Thesis.

Comments

Copyright Kiera P. Irvin 2025.

Abstract

Background: Mothers experiencing homelessness often carry extensive trauma histories, yet little work examines how abuse and sexual violence shape day-to-day parenting inside communal shelter settings. This study explored how trauma histories intersect with shelter structures to influence caregiving and feelings surrounding parenting among homeless mothers.

Method: Using a qualitative design, four mothers (ages 30–51) residing in a large Midwestern homeless shelter completed approximately 30-minute, semi-structured interviews in a private room onsite. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with inductive reflexive thematic analysis in Dedoose.

Results: Three interrelated themes were identified. (1) Parenting Under Constraint, in which communal living, limited privacy, rigid rules, and staffing/resource issues narrowed participants’ options for connection and discipline, depleting their maternal autonomy. (2) Carrying Guilt While Parenting, in which mothers described profound self-blame and perceived “failure,” linking homelessness and prior victimization to depressive affect and diminished parenting confidence. (3) Parenting Through Fear and Hypervigilance, in which abuse and sexual violence fueled strict, protective monitoring (e.g., limiting children’s independence, choice making), which had the intent to protect children against risk but oftentimes took away from typical developmental experiences.

Conclusions: Trauma-related vigilance and guilt interacted with shelter constraints to shape parenting practices for homeless mothers. Shelter-embedded, trauma-informed approaches (e.g., staff training, guilt-reducing parental support, opportunities for safe parent-child connection, autonomy-supportive policies) may support parental self-efficacy. Programs should also address maternal depression/guilt and proactively facilitate avenues in which children can disclose abuse and violence within shelters.

Keywords: homelessness; mothers; sexual violence; abuse; parenting; qualitative; shelters