A Family Intervention to Reduce Sexual Risk Behavior, Substance Use, and Delinquency Among Newly Homeless Youth

Abstract

Purpose We evaluate the efficacy of a short family intervention in reducing sexual risk behavior, drug use, and delinquent behaviors among homeless youth. Methods A randomized controlled trial of 151 families with a homeless adolescent aged 12 to 17 years. Adolescents were recruited from diverse sites in southern California from March 2006 through June 2009 and assessed at recruitment (baseline), 3, 6, and 12 months later. Families were randomly assigned to an intervention condition with five weekly home-based intervention sessions or a control condition (standard care). Main outcome measures reflect self-reported sexual, substance use and delinquent behaviors over the last 90 days. Results Sexual risk (e.g., mean number of partners) (p < .001), alcohol use (p = .003), hard drug use (p < .001), and delinquent behaviors (p = .001) decreased significantly more over 12 months in the intervention condition compared to the control condition. Marijuana use, however, significantly increased in the intervention condition compared to the control condition (p < .001). Conclusion An intervention to re-engage families of homeless youth has significant benefits in reducing risk over 12 months.

Reducing high risk behaviors among street living youth: Outcomes of an integrated prevention intervention

“…Although few studies testing HIV preventions for homeless youth were found, the majority of those studies reported limited impact on high risk behaviors (Booth, Zhang, & Kwiatokowsi, 1999; Gleghorn et al, 1997; Milburn et al, 2012; Rew, Fouladi, Land, & Wong, 2007). While knowledge can be increased among homeless youth (e.g., Nyamathi et al, 2013; Rew et al, 2007) and non-runaways (see review, McKay et al, 2004; Simoni, Nelson, Franks, Yard, & Lehavot, 2011), interventions to date have not dramatically reduced adolescent sexual risk taking (DiCenso et al, 2002; Picot et al, 2012).…”

Psychiatric Disorders, High-Risk Behaviors, and Chronicity of Episodes Among Predominantly African American Homeless Chicago Youth

“…4,15,16 HIV/AIDS prevalence among U.S. homeless and runaway youth is estimated to be up to 11.5%. 17,18 Nonetheless, some studies have failed to find a correlation between length of homelessness and sexual risk behaviors, 15 indicating a need for further research.…”

Growing up before their time: The early adultification experiences of homeless young people

“…Service providers should take into consideration the experiences of early adultified youth by working to tailor programs to runaway and homeless youth who wish to maintain their autonomy by practicing inclusivity and being non-judgmental towards youths’ lifestyles (Darbyshire, Muir-Cochrane, Fereday, Jureidini, & Drummond, 2006; French, Reardon, & Smith, 2003). Furthermore, family-based interventions can take into account wider family issues in providing aid to youth who leave home (Milburn et al, 2012), especially in light of early adultification’s linkage to household conflict and discord.…”