Exploring Hopelessness Among Unhoused Persons: A Scoping Review of International Research in High-Income Countries

Hopelessness is characterized by a pervasive sense of despair, lack of motivation, and negative expectations about the future. Despite its strong association with adverse mental and physical health outcomes, the extent and nature of literature examining this construct among persons experiencing homelessness remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review using a five-stage scoping review framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. We searched nine databases supplemented by a hand search of three journals not indexed by the databases. We included studies that were empirical, non-empirical, of any design, that were peer-reviewed discussing hopelessness among persons who were unhoused. This search yielded 28 unique articles. Most studies were empirical (n=25; 89%), with over half (n=16; 57%) conducted in North America. An inductive content analysis of included studies was conducted using the process outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. From the analysis, four themes were generated: 1) Living with hopelessness; 2) Structural and social conditions as drivers of hopelessness; 3) Who becomes hopeless; and 4) Pathways to hope. We conclude that hopelessness among persons experiencing homelessness is shaped by structural and social factors, including stigma, societal exclusion, limited employment opportunities, and housing environment and instability. However, limited empirical work has examined interventions that mitigate hopelessness during homelessness or throughout the transition out of homelessness. Future research should evaluate psychosocial and structural interventions and practices that directly address hopelessness to support well-being and foster future-oriented functioning among persons experiencing homelessness.