Predictors of Runaway Behavior Among At-Risk Youth

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing runaway experiences among at-risk youth. Using the data of 1,743 at-risk youth from the 2016 survey of Korean adolescents’ contact with media usage and harmful environment, a logistic regression analysis was conducted. This study shows that factors associated with the adolescents’ experiences of family relationships, violence victimization, and harmful environment influence the occurrence of runaway behavior in at-risk adolescents. A significant outcome of this study is the identification of a harmful environment as a factor affecting runaway behavior. The factors identified need to be considered in the development of prevention programs targeting runway behavior among at-risk youth. School nurses are uniquely positioned to review and revise educational strategies to raise adolescents’ awareness regarding the effects of harmful environments and to promote violence prevention. This framework provides school nurses with systematic methods for early identification and management of risk factors among at-risk youth runway behavior.

Characteristics of Children at Risk for Whom Protective and Supportive Measures are Taken and the Reasons for the Measures: A Retrospective Study

“…Parallel to the studies in the literature, this study also found that running away from home was common mainly in children aged 13-18 and among female children. 32,33 The literature associates running away from home with poverty, living in disadvantaged regions, weak parent-child relationship, lack of parent support, conflicts between parents, and weak parent supervision. [32][33][34][35] Various studies also show that running away from home was associated with dropping out of school, alcohol/substance use, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, bullying, disability, inadequate coping skills, depression, self-harm, suicide, and crime.…”

“…32,33 The literature associates running away from home with poverty, living in disadvantaged regions, weak parent-child relationship, lack of parent support, conflicts between parents, and weak parent supervision. [32][33][34][35] Various studies also show that running away from home was associated with dropping out of school, alcohol/substance use, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, bullying, disability, inadequate coping skills, depression, self-harm, suicide, and crime. [32][33][34][35] These factors could be either the reasons for running away from home or risks to be encountered after running away from home.…”

“…[32][33][34][35] Various studies also show that running away from home was associated with dropping out of school, alcohol/substance use, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, bullying, disability, inadequate coping skills, depression, self-harm, suicide, and crime. [32][33][34][35] These factors could be either the reasons for running away from home or risks to be encountered after running away from home. Studies in the literature regarding the factors associated with running away from home and consultancy measures taken for children who ran away from home in the present study reveal the importance of psycho-social and educational interventions assessing the risks and protective measures for both families and children and supporting the normal development.…”