The meaning of computers to a group of men who are homeless.

Authors

Kathleen Swenson Miller, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Stacey Bunch-Harrison, Resources for Human Development
Brett Brumbaugh, Resources for Human Development
Rekha Sankaran Kutty, Horizon House
Kathleen FitzGerald, Manor Care

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2005

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It is the author’s final published version in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Volume 59, Issue 2, March/April 2005, Pages 191-197.

The published version is available at DOI: 10.5014/ajot.59.2.191. Copyright © American Occupational Therapy Association

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the experience with computers and the meaning of computers to a group of homeless men living in a long-term shelter. This descriptive exploratory study used semistructured interviews with seven men who had been given access to computers and had participated in individually tailored occupation based interventions through a Work Readiness Program. Three themes emerged from analyzing the interviews: access to computers, computers as a bridge to life-skill development, and changed self-perceptions as a result of connecting to technology. Because they lacked computer knowledge and feared failure, the majority of study participants had not sought out computers available through public access. The need for access to computers, the potential use of computers as a medium for intervention, and the meaning of computers to these men who represent the digital divide are described in this study.

Recommended Citation

Miller, Kathleen Swenson; Bunch-Harrison, Stacey; Brumbaugh, Brett; Kutty, Rekha Sankaran; and FitzGerald, Kathleen, "The meaning of computers to a group of men who are homeless." (2005). Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers. Paper 51.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/otfp/51

PubMed ID

15830619