Table X 2 Master table of Superordinate themes
Master Theme Sub theme Superordinate Themes Example Supporting Quotes
Sense of Self Smashed by
the Streets Loss of integrity of the self Loss of integrity of the self
I1, I6, I8, I2 “ [on hospital ward] it was awful you were surrounded by people all different people. people who didn't know me or why I was there. they threw me out after a day. because I got into an argument with someone.
they wouldn't let my key worker pick up my medication “ Kate
“it was embarrassing… that was ‘cos the seizures... because I wasn't sleeping… I was losing weight terrible… the worst thing was not sleeping, and on the bus, I'd fall asleep. I'd fall asleep on the bus by accident. The bus driver came and give me a shove and said this was the last stop. I was further than I needed to be" – Kate
“I don’t think [hostels] look at the vulnerabilities of the person... at [hostel] if you’re not back by a certain time they won’t let you back in...
which is ridiculous… you’ve got lots of women prostituting themselves…
escorting... there’s men there… smoking spliffs, and the staff don’t say anything. And I just think, what? When did this happen? it's a roof over [your] head but it's not good for people… not for vulnerable people.” – Kelly
“I knew that I had no self-worth and no self-esteem. People used to throw drinks on me piss on me… people used to spit at me… when I was on the doorways and stuff... and that just adds too how shit you feel anyway. It just makes you fucked... your living conditions are reduced to the animal level” – Simon
“… sometimes the only way to get a good kip is to get smashed. I read somewhere that if you don't sleep it can kill you and that really scared me because I never sleep well unless I'm smashed. I've read about the fact you can get psychosis if you don't sleep…” Matt
Surviving Structural
Violence Structural violence against the self
“I was kicked out” – Dave
“[we were] ... kicked out” – Kelly
“… they were supposed to taking care of us but instead they knocked the fuck out of us… it's not a nice environment... just constantly fighting.
People were scalded with sugar and water, there are worse things out there... slashings there...” - Simon
“you got people peeing on you, got people making fun of you… I got attacked in town. Got a boot to the head” – Kate
“I got stopped by the police for no fucking reason. Walking down my friend’s road. They asked me if I’d ever been known to the police… then they wanted to know what’s in my pockets… I don’t want to say it’s like being raped, but… it’s physical intimidation… then they will stitch you up”
– Matt Protecting the vulnerable
self Protecting the vulnerable self “it felt odd. like I was the odd one out. I didn't know where I fit it in. I didn't fit in with people in prison I didn't fit in with people outside I didn't really fit in with people off the streets didn't really fit in with anyone. but now I've got my own flat I don't need to fit it with anyone I can just be myself and try and make myself better and that's what I'm doing really at the moment.” – Liam
“I was getting sick of it… it was scary. The staff were fantastic but it was the people that were sleeping there as well… it was scary I think for a woman, being in a circumstances like that. I've never felt so vulnerable in my life... I've been in prison and I was ok. I was in a hostel I was alright...
but being there it was scary… inside I was dying. It was killing me. I’d curl up into a ball and cry. I'd say please God get me out of here. I needed help but I didn't know what help I could get. ” - Kayla
“I think probably the hatred that I had for services and stuff like that I probably brought that in on myself.. so I turned it against myself and I hated myself. and then I used to go through phases... I need to think these are the cards you've been dealt and this is the life you're going to live. and maybe this is just the Way It Is. “ Simon
Connection with others Connection with others I4 Preservation through connection I2
Becoming a connected being I7 Challenging neglect through connecting I6
“I would like to actually be up look after her the way she's looked after me. get a career.” Liam
“but what I really want to do is just to be with someone. like his house is a shithole but it's just having the human contact.” Matt
“People have it all in jail… they have community they have friends... they love the banter, they love all the buying and selling... it becomes their family and their way of life... so, when they come out... they're grieving for that. They're at a loss." - Simon
“the connection that I have with people in the room it's amazing. I know that I belong there. I feel like I'm at the start of an amazing journey. I feel a lot happier in myself. I listen to people on the meetings and they listen to them share. “ - Kayla
“a good life for me is obviously being free from drugs. a good life for me is honestly just having a clean bed and clean clothes a bit of peace a bit of sanity in my mind engage in life the ability to feel feelings and connect with people….” Simon
“I never went to one place for tea or anything like other people did. I never went anywhere to sleep. I would just go back and forward from different places. walk into town, out of town. I’d walk up to heaven, at Castle Street, talk to all the people going out. talk to the bouncers all night until the morning. I just keep walking. it was tiring. “ - Kate
“the most important thing is choices.. having a choice... having a choice of what you do. having connection with other people. “ – Dave