Citation

Ferguson KM, Bender K, Thompson SJ, Xie B, Pollo D. J. Juv. Justice 2012; 1(2): 1-19.

Copyright

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

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

This study identifies mental health and situational predictors of arrest history among homeless youth in four U.S. cities. Using convenience sampling, we recruited 188 homeless youths from shelters, drop-in centers, and street outreach using similar methods. The youths, aged 18-24, came from Los Angeles, California (n = 50), Denver, Colorado (n = 50), New Orleans, Louisiana (n = 50), and St. Louis, Missouri (n = 38). General strain theory provided a framework for identifying factors related to arrest history, including length of time homeless, level of transience, victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance dependence, and the use of survival strategies. We tested the general strain model using observed-variable path analysis. Collectively, youths' length of time homeless, drug dependence, and use of survival strategies explained 17% of the variance in arrest history. We found a significant overall mediation effect from transience to arrest history through greater victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug dependence, and survival strategies. This study offers one of the first applications of general strain theory to identify both mental health and situational strains--and responses to strains--among homeless youth.

FINDINGS have important implications for research and preventive interventions to address delinquency among this population.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to: Kristin M. Ferguson, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10035; E-mail: kferg@hunter.cuny.edu


Keywords: Juvenile justice, Homeless youth, crime, arrest, path model, general strain theory

Language: en