Stress, Coping, and Social Support among Homeless Youth

Abstract

Evaluated in this study was the extent to which stress, coping strategies, and social support were associated with depressive symptoms, poor physical health, and substance use in homeless youth. Data were obtained from a stratified random sample of 432 homeless youth recruited.from service sites and street sites in Los Angeles, California. Stres,sful life events were associated positively with symptoms of depression, poor physical health, and substance use. Use of emotion-focused coping strategies increased the risk of symptoms of depression, poor health, and substance-use disorders, whereas use of problem-focused coping strategies decreased the risk of alcohol use disorder and poorhealth. Social support decreased the risk of symptoms of depression and poor health but was not related to the risk of substance use. Results indicate that effective coping skills and social support may counteract the negative efficts of stressful life events on physical and psychological health in homeless youth.

Predictors of self‐reported sexually transmitted diseases among homeless and runaway adolescents

“…Consistent with a risk amplification model , abusive families provide "basic training" for antisocial behavior that can lead to rejection by conventional peers, thus leading adolescents to form ties with deviant peer groups on the street (Patterson et al, 1984). Affiliating with deviant peers provides support and protection for these youth in the street environment (Hagan & McCarthy, 1997), especially when they lack conventional family ties (Unger et al, 1998). The current findings also revealed that adolescents who spent more time on their own reported associating with deviant peers who sold sex.…”

“…It is also possible that homeless youth are more reliant on their peers for support when lacking conventional family ties (Unger et al, 1998). Finally, Hagan and McCarthy (1997) found that runaways often form ties with other street youth for safety and protection.…”

“…H omeless and runaway adolescents are at risk for a variety of serious health problems, and length of time on the street is related to poor physical health (Farrow, Deisher, Brown, Kulig, & Kipke, 1992;Unger et al, 1998). In addition, many of these young people engage in health-compromising behaviors such as substance use and survival sex (Johnson, Aschkenasy, Herbers, & Gillenwater, 1996;Kipke, O'Connor, Palmer, & MacKenzie, 1995;Yates, MacKenzie, Pennbridge, & Cohen, 1988), which are likely to increase their risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).…”

The impact of an integrated treatment on HIV risk behavior among homeless youth: a randomized controlled trial

“…Unger et al (1998) noted that early adolescent homeless youth may be at lower risk of acquiring HIV and may be more receptive to interventions that help them get off the streets compared to older youth. Some research suggests that risk behaviors increase with age because of increases in autonomy and freedom and from social control agents (Bachman et al 1997;Staton et al 1999).…”

Predictors of first mental health service utilization among homeless and runaway adolescents

“…Social networks provide access to advice on where to get services and how to recognize health problems as serious enough to go to the doctor [12] and [17]. Moreover, research suggests that social support itself acts as a buffer for physical and mental health problems [24]. Hatton's qualitative study with homeless women [25] found a pattern where social networks played an important role in how women used health care services.…”