Homeless Males Addicted to Alcohol about Helplessness: Secondary Qualitative Data Analysis

Abstract

Abstract: The subject of this secondary qualitative data research was related to researching and understanding the issue of helplessness in the lives of homeless males addicted to alcohol. The aim of the study was to learn about the core category of helplessness according to the opinions of 10 homeless Poles. The research was based on 3 secondary datasets from 3 primary sources including 13 transcripts of interviews with homeless males who had been in the process of abstinence for 3 months to 9 years. The results indicated the existence of helplessness in the lives of homeless males in the following two aspects: first chronological and second structural-contextual. Chronological helplessness indicated its threefold presence: as a general helplessness in life before alcohol addiction, during addiction, and during the sobriety and therapy process. Structural and contextual helplessness indicated a 3-pillar pattern: Verbalised helplessness was present in transcripts indicated directly, referring to denotation of the category. Hidden helplessness revealed itself in the background related to the connotations of the helplessness category. Helplessness was associated with sub-categories regarding: self, routine activities, addiction artefacts, symbolic Ends, and shrinking of personal space. Processual helplessness was referred to as the process of becoming helpless and coming out of helplessness in the context of the loss and regaining of dignity by addicted and sobering males.This report contains implications and suggestions for the social work and public education practice.