Longitudinal predictors of homelessness: findings from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-97

Abstract

Homeless youth represent a vulnerable and understudied population. Little research has prospectively identified factors that may place youth at risk for experiencing homelessness. The current study utilizes data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-97 (NLSY-97) to examine predictors of experiencing homelessness as a young adult (before age 25). The NLSY-97 includes a nationally representative sample of 8,984 youth. Data were first collected from these youth when they were between the ages of 12 to 18 years. The current study examined whether individual and family risk factors reported during adolescence predict homelessness by the age of 25. The findings showed that multiple runaway episodes, non-traditional family structure, lower educational attainment, and parental work limitations due to health increased the risk of homelessness. A permissive parenting style and being Hispanic protected against homelessness. This study offers unique insight into risk and protective factors for youth homelessness, and has important clinical implications.

Youth experiencing transitional and temporary homelessness: A pilot study

“…These findings support the need for mental health interventions with these students (Brakenhoff et al, 2015;Johnson & Taliaferro, 2012), including the development of screening tools for students experiencing transitional homelessness. Daily smoking of tobacco was common, with many reporting early engagement, as was weekly use of alcohol.…”

“…This study also provides evidence that it is possible to overcome some of the general limitations in studies on homeless youth, where participants are visible, chronically homeless youth in shelters and agencies serving homeless youth (Brakenhoff et al, 2015;Robert et al, 2005). Though the number of participants in this study is small, the students from which this data was collected were demographically similar to their schoolmates.…”

“…While several studies have documented factors associated with homelessness and running away retrospectively, only a limited number of studies have examined longitudinal predictors for youth who eventually become homeless (Brakenhoff et al, 2015) and the specific factors that place youth at risk of experiencing future homelessness (Tyler, Hagewen, & Melander, 2011). This study is along similar lines, with its uniqueness being that it explores individual, family, and social factors of transitional and temporary homeless youth, gathering this information from participants who simultaneously experience such situations.…”

“…In addition, in comparison to their nonhomeless peers, a greater number of homeless youths use substances (Rohr, 1996;Smart et al, 1994;Yates, MacKenzie, Pennbridge, & Cohen, 1988). But the study samples highlighting such issues appear to be gathered exclusively from participants accessing the services of shelters and agencies serving homeless youths, in other words, from youth who are visibly and chronically homeless (Brakenhoff et al, 2015;Robert et al, 2005;Terrell, 1997). But the study samples highlighting such issues appear to be gathered exclusively from participants accessing the services of shelters and agencies serving homeless youths, in other words, from youth who are visibly and chronically homeless (Brakenhoff et al, 2015;Robert et al, 2005;Terrell, 1997).…”

“…While to a certain degree these youth are more accessible, they are also over-recruited as research participants (Brakenhoff et al, 2015;Robert et al, 2005). Its aim was to gather information from youth actively experiencing transitional homelessness, to find out more about their profile and experiences as they experienced such situations and not retrospectively.…”