Citation

Alemagno SA, Stephens PC, Shaffer-King P. J. Juv. Justice 2012; 2(1): 1-11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, In Public Domain (U.S. Department of Justice OJJDP), Publisher CSR)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Events such as running away, being homeless, or being incarcerated have the potential to disrupt social and developmental trajectories and impact social development. This study examines characteristics of incarcerated youth who reported having ever lived on the streets or being homeless. The group potentially represents one of the highest risk groups of adolescents in our communities. The sample comprises 884 incarcerated females (21.9%) and 3,146 incarcerated males (78.1%) who participated in an anonymous study of risk and protective factors while in juvenile detention in Ohio. The study examines risk in the domains of problems with alcohol/drug use and alcohol/drug treatment history, mental/physical health problems and treatment history for each, sexual behavior, anger management and physical violence, and family support.

RESULTS indicate that family, peer, and school problems each have significant positive associations with having been homeless at some point. Homeless youth engage in risky behaviors, including selling drugs, theft, working in the sex trade, and panhandling. As a result, these youth have high rates of arrests. This study points to the importance of screening for homelessness on intake into correctional settings and the importance of discharge planning.

Keywords: juvenile justice, homeless youth, behavioral risk factors, incarcerated youth

Language: en