Introduction

Mental health issues are common among women in homelessness, alongside undertreated chronic physical conditions leading to serious and unnecessary complications. Even though homelessness and risks of impaired health have been researched, broader perspectives of health are absent.

Aim

To describe reflections on health among women with experiences of homelessness.MethodWe conducted thirteen interviews with women in homelessness using researcher-driven photo elicitation. Together with an advisory board of women with lived experience of homelessness, researchers were guided by the DEPICT model for collaborative data analysis and performed a thematic analysis.

Findings

Women with experiences of homelessness emphasized three main resources for achieving health and well-being: feelings of having a home, being involved in authentic relationships and experiences of preserved dignity.

Implication for practice

Healthcare needs to integrate the perceived resources for health and well-being when caring for women in homelessness. It is imperative since women will return to the healthcare setting only if they feel safe and secure, and only if dignity is preserved or restored. The results promote utilization of an integrative nursing approach; understanding that the health of women in homelessness is inseparable from their environment and social determinants for health, such as housing and social integration.