Investigation of occupational justice, activity performance and quality of life in the homeless people

Our study was conducted to examine oupational justice, activity performance and quality of life in homeless individuals. The study included 14 homeless individuals living in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. Sociodemographic data form, semi-structured interview form, Occupational Justice Health Questionnaire (OASA), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-Bref) and Occupational Balance Questionnaire were used in the interviews with homeless individuals. The mean age of the participants was 49.28±13.37 (min:24, max:68). Basic needs; social, physical and mental well-being; adequate standard of living for health and well-being; cultural beliefs, traditions and local activities; health and well-being through occupation were evaluated in the occupational justice perspective and as a result of our study, it was determined that homeless individuals experienced occupational injustice for various health, social, political and economic reasons. The areas where homeless people reported limited activity performance and satisfaction were 41% self-care, 41% leisure time and 18% productivity performance areas. In the quality of life scores, low results were reported in general health status, psychological health, social relations and environment; physical health scores were reported to be borderline, although they did not show low quality of life. The average occupational balance scores were 16,07±3,49. We recommend that homeless individuals should be included in community-based oupational recovery activities. We suggest that homeless individuals should be recognised in public, institutions and organisations to be included in disadvantaged groups with the understanding of social state; we suggest that they should be encouraged to provide access to services. It is thought that the occupational justice difficulties of homeless individuals may be related to activity performance, quality of life and occupational balance.