Abusive Family Backgrounds and Later Victimization Among Runaway and Homeless Adolescents
Description:
Studied relationships among physical and sexual abuse in family of origin, participation in deviant subsistence strategies, and victimization in 108 runaway and homeless adolescents in four Midwestern states. Path analysis indicated that abusive family backgrounds directly affected adolescent victimization and indirectly increased likelihood of victimization by increasing amount of time at risk, deviant peer associations, and risk taking.
This article reports findings from the initial phase of an ongoing study of runaway and homeless adolescents in four Midwestern states. One hundred eight homeless and runaway adolescents were interviewed directly on the streets and in shelters by outreach workers in youth services agencies. Levels of physical and sexual abuse within family of origin, participation in deviant subsistence strategies, and levels of victimization while on the streets are reported. Path analysis indicated that abusive family backgrounds had a positive direct effect on victimization of adolescents on the streets, and indirectly increased the likelihood of victimization by increasing the amount of time at risk, deviant peer associations, and risky behaviors.
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
1997
Volume:
7
Issue:
4
Pages:
375
Location:
Hillsdale