The link between youth homelessness and mental health functioning was examined using state population-representative 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data. The moderating role of victimization and perceived teacher support also was examined. Consistent with hypotheses, results indicated that homelessness was associated with greater mental health challenges, more victimization, and less teacher support. The association between homelessness and mental health was not moderated by perceived teacher support. However, victimization experiences served as a moderator such that more victimization exacerbated the effect of homelessness on mental health challenges. This study supports the utility of the YRBS for gaining understanding of the experiences and needs of youth experiencing homelessness and adds to the growing literature on predictors of individual differences in mental health functioning of these vulnerable youth.

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Objective We sought to understand challenges and positive experiences of low‐income families during the pandemic. Background Strength‐based perspectives of economically disadvantaged mothers are missing from literature on the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Although it is imperative to recognize disparities that were highlighted by the pandemic, strengths‐based approaches and a resilience framework can help professionals build upon and learn from ways families manage during those times. Method We used a mixed‐method approach to gain understanding of the unique experiences of 15 low‐income mothers at the height of the pandemic. We administered a brief COVID‐19 stress screener, the Five‐Minute Speech Sample measure, and an open‐ended question about potential positive experiences during the pandemic. Results We learned that strength and resilience supersede the liabilities brought on by COVID‐19 that are so often focused on. We found highly divergent experiences across mothers in terms of stress; even mothers with high levels of stress readily identified positive aspects of life during the pandemic. Mothers' responses were indicative of greater feelings of warmth and tenderness than negativity about their children. Conclusion and Implications We discuss findings in terms of strengths‐based practices and policies for mothers receiving public assistance and provide suggestions for continued research on resilience of mothers during the pandemic.

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Adolescence is a critical developmental period when youth are transitioning to be more independent while also being at heightened risk for negative developmental trajectories. This is especially true for adolescent youth experiencing homelessness. Using state population-representative 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data, we examined the association between youth homelessness and engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The moderating roles of parental monitoring and social support were also examined. We found that 2.8% (8,922) of students were experiencing homelessness, and youth homelessness was associated with engagement in a greater number of risk-taking behavior types. The association between youth homelessness and risk-taking behaviors was not moderated by parental monitoring, which was high for stably housed youth as well as homeless youth. Social support was a significant moderator. For stably housed youth, the presence of someone to talk to when youth were feeling sad was associated with engagement in fewer risktaking behaviors. Conversely, for homeless youth, having someone to talk to when the youth were feeling sad was associated with higher engagement in risk-taking behaviors. Findings extend our understanding of risk-taking behaviors among homeless youth, a particularly vulnerable group of adolescents. The study has implications for prevention and intervention efforts to support homeless youth.

Perspectives of parents themselves should be central in framing services delivered to families experiencing homelessness. We explored the strengths and positive features of mother-child relationships and insight into mothers' views of the impact of living in shelters. We conducted qualitative coding of the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) of 41 mothers of young children. Results revealed a wide variety of strategies that mothers used to promote their children's resilient functioning. This included focusing on their children's strengths, providing unconditional love and engaging in positive activities together. Mothers also voiced varied approaches to parenting, including many positive practices. Mothers' FMSS included ways that living in the shelter had a negative impact on their child's functioning, and they reported negative changes in their relationship with their child since moving into the shelter. Finally, mothers discussed ways in which living in the shelter had influenced their parenting styles and approaches to discipline. We discuss implications of the findings for supporting families residing in shelters, and we provide recommendations for further research.

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