Why do homeless young people leave home?

Abstract

Objective: To describe the reasons homeless young people leave home and differences between males and females. and well-being. If these aims are to be met, it is important to understand the complex factors -structural, social and individual -that are associated with being homeless. In particular, if we are to prevent homelessness or provide targeted early interventions, we need to know more about why young people leave home in the first place. MethodsAlthough reasons for leaving home have been conceptualised as situational, external or structural, [8][9][10] most research has focused on situational or individual-level factors. Situational factors encompass young people's significant relationships, in particular their family, and include family conflict, sexual and physical violence, substance use and trauma.8 A review of these, mostly United States (US), studies reveals that young people leave home for diverse reasons, usually couched in 'crisis' terms. Family environment is a major theme in the reasons why young people leave home. Family conflict is the most commonly cited reason 2,11 and abuse by family members -sexual, physical or emotional -is also frequently cited. 7,[12][13][14][15] Other reasons for leaving home appear less consistently. These include personal drug use, school problems, sexual identity, neglect, drug or alcohol problems of a family member, family structure, family housing instability, and traumatic life events, for example, the death of a parent. 2,3,7,11,[15][16][17] All these reasons clearly form a set that could be described as problem-based. Young people leave home to escape or avoid difficulties with family, or as a result of their own problem behaviour. Some researchers in the US have described these young people Article Prevention, Protection and Support

The Role of Institutional Placement, Family Conflict, and Homosexuality in Homelessness Pathways Among Latino LGBT Youth in New York City

“…In this third path to homelessness, youth and parents experienced ongoing family conflict over behavioral issues, perceived lack of personal responsibility, and independence from parental authority, similar to the experiences of homeless heterosexual peers (e.g., Rosenthal, Mallett, & Myers, 2006; Smollar, 1999; Whitbeck et al, 1997b). Significantly, however, disclosure or perception of homosexuality further exacerbated pre-existing family conflicts, thus creating unsustainable “pressure cookers” and accelerating the disintegration of family relations.…”

A Longitudinal Population-Based Study of Factors in Adolescence Predicting Homelessness in Young Adulthood

“…Such problems may reflect lower intellectual functioning [28], and/or social problems and inability to conform to a structured school environment [7,29]. School adjustment problems may contribute to a youth's decision to run away from home [7,23]. Homeless persons frequently report school failure and discontinuation [30,31]; for example, Warren et al reported that more than 62% of runaway youths had been suspended from school at least once [31].…”

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Early Life Circumstances as Contributors to HIV Infection

“…In a study of almost 700 homeless youth (ages 12–20), conflict with parents or guardians was the most frequently endorsed reason for leaving. This reason was rated as “very important” or “important” by 74% of females and 73% of males (Rosenthal, Mallett, & Myers, 2006). …”