Abandoned: the lived experiences of homelessness in urban and rural Perth & Kinross, Scotland, United Kingdom

Homelessness is increasing globally. “Hidden homelessness,” a term used to define homelessness in geographically remote areas, is also increasing, but existing research lacks the perceptions and existential insight of homelessness in rural communities. This study aims to highlight the lived experiences of homelessness in Perth & Kinross, a unique Scottish local authority split almost equally into rural and urban areas. Twenty-two people experiencing homelessness in Perth & Kinross were interviewed. Themes from these interviews were generated using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). Reflective Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines (RTARG) were followed to ensure rigor. Four themes were generated: [1] trauma, [2] locus of control, [3] health and social care services, and [4] emotional dysregulation from alcohol and other substances. It was common for participants to have migrated from other regions in the United Kingdom (UK) to work in the Perth & Kinross hospitality industry, or to try escape from trauma by seeking sanctuary in a perceived rural idyll. Aetiology for homelessness was, in some cases, associated with employment, but for most, there were links with trauma and substance use.