The Paradox of Homeless Youth Pregnancy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Compared to their housed counterparts, homeless youth become pregnant at exceptionally high rates. Causes of such pregnancies are multifaceted, while a paradoxically high proportion of these pregnancies are intended. This review discusses causes and risk factors associated with homeless youth pregnancies, and notes experiences of pregnancy decision-making discord, challenges encountered during and following pregnancy, and difficulties faced by homeless youth when or if they become parents. Because homeless youth face a wide array of unique risks, future research would benefit from exploring alternative approaches to prevention to reduce pregnancies and improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes among this population.

A group-based motivational interviewing brief intervention to reduce substance use and sexual risk behavior among homeless young adults

“…In another sample of 601 homeless youth, 69% met diagnostic criteria for past year substance use disorder (Bender, Brown, Thompson, Ferguson, & Langenderfer, 2015), which is about four times higher than among 18–25 year olds in the general population (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2015). Rates of HIV infection among homeless youth range from about 3–25% across U.S. studies (Medlow, Klineberg, & Steinbeck, 2014), and pregnancy is also more common among homeless than stably housed youth (Begun, 2015; Tucker et al, 2012c). Although condom use can be an effective means of protection, 40–70% of homeless youth report engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse (Tucker et al, 2012b; Valente & Auerswald, 2013).…”

Mental Health Outcomes Among Homeless, Runaway, and Stably Housed Youth

“…1 More than 2 decades of research suggests that when a young person's living situation is unstable, they are at increased risk for significant adverse health outcomes, including chronic medical conditions, mental illness, substance use, sexually transmitted infections, and victimization. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Research describing typologies of youth homelessness suggests that there may be important differences between subgroups of homeless youth. [8][9][10][11] Separate from experiences of family-based homelessness, the term unaccompanied youth homelessness refers to youth ,21 years of age in a range of unstable housing situations, including sleeping on the streets, living in shelters, running away, being thrown out, and couchsurfing.…”

Growing up before their time: The early adultification experiences of homeless young people

“…Mothers can find it even more difficult to provide for their children if they are unable to secure stable employment, housing and other necessities, which can also hinder attachment patterns with children as was shown in Candy’s troubled relationship with her son. Complicated experiences with pregnancy and parenthood are particularly salient for many young homeless women who are already struggling to survive on their own (Begun, 2015). Some young men recounted an absence of familial support in their transition to parenting and poor relations with their children’s mother.…”