Homelessness Experiences, Sexual Orientation, and Sexual Risk Taking Among High School Students in Los Angeles

Abstract

Purpose Prior studies reported homeless adolescents engage in more sexual risk than their housed peers. However, these comparisons are typically made post hoc by comparing homeless adolescent community-based samples with high school probability samples. This study utilizes a random sample of high school students to examine homelessness experiences and sexual risk behaviors. Methods A supplemental survey to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey containing questions regarding homelessness and sexual health was administered to Los Angeles high school students (N=1,839). Multivariate logistic regressions assessed the associations between demographics, past year homelessness experiences (i.e., place of nighttime residence), and being sexually active and condom use at last intercourse. Results Homelessness experiences consisted of staying in a shelter (10.4%), a public place (10.1%), and with a stranger (5.6%). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ), younger, and male adolescents were more likely to experience homelessness. LGBTQ adolescents were also more likely to report staying with a stranger and less likely to report staying in a shelter. Compared to adolescents who stayed in shelters, adolescents who stayed with strangers and in public places were more likely to engage in unprotected sex at last intercourse. Conclusions Adolescents who report sexual activity and sexual risk taking are more likely to report homelessness experiences. With regard to sexual health, staying with strangers could be a particularly risky form of homelessness; LGBTQ and Black adolescents are more likely to experience this form of homelessness. Efforts to reduce homelessness and sexual risk-taking need to recognize the specific vulnerabilities faced by these populations.

Homelessness and Sexual Identity Among Middle School Students

“…However, LGBQ students were significantly more likely than heterosexual students to report having stayed in a public place and significantly less likely to report having stayed in a shelter. These results reinforce prior research that indicated LGBQ youth are less likely than their heterosexual peers to spend the night in a shelter, perhaps because they perceive greater stigma and discrimination at these sites . This is particularly problematic, because shelters are protective for youth experiencing homelessness and sleeping in a public place has several health consequences and increases the risk of victimization .…”

“…During the 2008‐2009 school year, public schools enrolled nearly 1 million homeless children and youth . Recent studies among high school students have found that sexual minority (ie, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning—LGBQ) youth experience higher rates of homelessness than their heterosexual peers . This is especially problematic because LGBQ students are often at greater risk of negative outcomes like depression, suicidality, drug use, and academic difficulties …”

Disparities in substance use behaviors and disorders among adult sexual minorities by age, gender, and sexual identity

“…Another contributing factor may be individual-level discrimination and bullying, which is still routinely experienced by SM youth and young adults (Gayles and Garofalo, 2012; Gower et al, 2017; Hatzenbuehler et al, 2015). Lack of family support may also be a salient risk factor, as SM youth report lower levels of parental closeness and higher rates of abuse and homelessness compared to heterosexual youth (Friedman et al, 2011; Pearson and Wilkinson, 2013; Rice et al, 2013). One review found that half of SM youth who come out to their parents experience rejection (Rosario and Schrimshaw, 2013).…”

Runaway Youth: Caring for the Nation’s Largest Segment of Missing Children

“…41,50,51 LGBTQ youth who are homeless report higher rates of survival sex, substance use, and victimization when compared with non-LGBTQ homeless youth. 41,[51][52][53] A survey by Cochran et al 51 comparing LGBT homeless youth and heterosexual homeless youth revealed that LGBT youth reported, on average, 7.4 more acts of sexual victimization than their heterosexual counterparts and had significantly higher rates of psychopathology. 50 LGBTQ youth also experience higher rates of depression and suicidality.…”