An exploration of how homelessness causes mental health problem among single homeless adults in London

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Proposal
Student’s name:
Name of the university:
Author’s note:

1RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
1. Title..............................................................................................................................................2
2. Research question........................................................................................................................2
3. Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
4. Literature review..........................................................................................................................3
5. Aims and Objectives....................................................................................................................7
6. Ethical considerations..................................................................................................................8
7. Method of data collection............................................................................................................9
8. Anticipated research outcomes..................................................................................................11
9. Identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the research proposal..................................12
10. Work plan/Gantt chart.............................................................................................................13
Reference List................................................................................................................................14
Appendices....................................................................................................................................17
Appendix 2.....................................................................................................................................19

2RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1. Title
An exploration of how homelessness causes mental health problem among single homeless
adults in London
2. Research question
Homelessness can be caused due to the lack of affordable housing, unemployment,
poverty and life events. Lack of money is the main reason for homelessness and people
sometimes cannot afford the home rent as well. In London, almost 4500 people slept on the road
on any given night in autumn of 2017 and this figure has been doubled since 2010 (Paul et al.
2018). It has been almost noticed that number of individuals sleeping in London has hit record
after an approximate 73% increase in the last three years (Theguardian.com 2018). In addition, it
is observed that homeless people are suffering mental health issue as the homeless people behave
abnormally with the common people on road.
Therefore, the primary research question of the research is:
How does homelessness contribute to mental health problem among single homeless people in
London?
3. Introduction
The relationship between homelessness and mental health is more like a cause-and-effect
relationship. In the article named ‘The Homeless Mentally ill' appeared first in Harvard Mental
Health Letter (2005) and this article; author claimed that almost one-third of all homeless people
in America has a serious mental problem such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major

3RESEARCH PROPOSAL
mental depression. The relationship between the homelessness and mental health is like circular
in fashion as each one contributes on other; sometimes, mutual contribution spins out of control
(Gulati et al. 2018). According to Urbanoski et al. (2018), homelessness is traumatic for the
individuals and it leads to the depression to the people and it often develops the stress leading
mental illness. Moreover, London is developed in the economy; however, one-fifth of the
homeless people suffer from the mental illness while 14% of them are women. Homeless people
in London sometimes have to sleep under the open sky and sometimes, the homeless people
sleep in cars, tents, buses and even trains. Additionally, the report stated that sleeping without the
roof causes the victims of violence for the people and it makes 17 times more likely to suffer
verbal and physical abuse compared to common public (Essali et al. 2012).
This study aims to conduct a research on the subject matter of homelessness contributes
to a mental health problem in London. Lambeth, a borough of London observes major homeless
issues. There are some homeless shelters which provide places to live for the homeless distressed
people. This research is aiming to provide aim and objectives which will be addressed in the
final research. A literature review is provided setting the background of the research based on the
previous research studies. Data collection process and the process of data analysis are also given
in the research methodology section. In the final section, anticipated findings of the research are
provided identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the research. The findings of the study
would benefit the public health issue in London as the findings will be highlighted the core
relationship between homelessness and mental health of people.
4. Literature review
The relationship between homelessness and mental health