Shelter-Based Homeless Youth

The Experiences and Perceptions of Street-Involved Youth Regarding Emergency Department Services

“…Consistent with the literature (Ensign & Santelli, 1997; Walters, 1999), a significant portion of participants reported accessing the ED for services related to an incident related to substance abuse. In addition, many participants in this study encountered external and structural barriers to care, as are also identified in the literature.…”

“…In addition, many participants in this study encountered external and structural barriers to care, as are also identified in the literature. These barriers include a lack of resources such as transportation and health insurance (Ensign & Santelli, 1997; Karabanow et al, 2007; Kushel et al, 2007). As identified by Higgit et al (2003), many participants in this study did not prioritize the promotion or maintenance of their health.…”

“…Given the complexities often involved in maintaining daily survival, these youth ascribe low priority to their health needs (Feldmann & Middleman, 2003). A concerning proportion of SI youth engage in high-risk sexual activity including “survival sex” (i.e., sex for money, food, or lodging; Chettiar, Shannon, Wood, Zhang, & Kerr, 2010), with greater likelihood of sexually transmitted infections (STIs; Ottawa Public Health, 2011) and unplanned pregnancy (Ensign & Santelli, 1997). SI youth also report more alcohol and drug use than other adolescent populations (Ensign & Santelli, 1997; Walters, 1999) and experience higher rates of severe injury than non-SI youth (Ensign & Santelli, 1997).…”

“…A concerning proportion of SI youth engage in high-risk sexual activity including “survival sex” (i.e., sex for money, food, or lodging; Chettiar, Shannon, Wood, Zhang, & Kerr, 2010), with greater likelihood of sexually transmitted infections (STIs; Ottawa Public Health, 2011) and unplanned pregnancy (Ensign & Santelli, 1997). SI youth also report more alcohol and drug use than other adolescent populations (Ensign & Santelli, 1997; Walters, 1999) and experience higher rates of severe injury than non-SI youth (Ensign & Santelli, 1997). SI youth have likely experienced “numerous, wide-ranging and severe” stressful or traumatic events (Coates & McKenzie-Mohr, 2010, p. 84) such that an estimated 42% meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Valera, Sawyer, & Schiraldi, 2001), and many have learning disabilities that create barriers to negotiating health care and other community systems (Smith et al, 2007).…”

Correlates of Emotional Distress in Out‐of‐Home Youth

“…Many homeless and precariously housed young people have experienced adverse family histories of abuse and neglect; however, they may or may not have had a formalized out-ofhome placement. Studies of homeless youth show high rates of depression, suicide or suicidal ideation, and delinquency (Ensign, 2001;Ensign & Santelli, 1997;Tyler & Melander, 2010). Less is known about adolescents in other temporary residential locations such as those living in shelters, residential hotels, shared housing, and those who "couch surf " with friends and relatives (Tierney, Gupton, & Hallett, 2008).…”