Friday, 14 January 2005 - 12:00 PM

This presentation is part of: Poster Session I

Depression and Anxiety among Runaway/homeless youth

Introduction: Major advances have been made during the past two decades in understanding depression and anxiety among adolescents. However, little is known concerning these diagnoses among a specific high-risk group of youth – those who run away. Runaway youth experience multiple risks for mental health problems due to family disorganization, parental rejection, and abuse.

Purpose: To develop knowledge relevant for human service researchers, administrators and practitioners working with high-risk adolescents, this study examined individual and family factors associated with depression and anxiety among runaway youth. Two research questions are addressed: What individual and family characteristics are associated with depression and anxiety among runaway youth? What characteristics predict greater levels of depression and anxiety symptoms among these youth?

Methods: Surveys were conducted with 277 adolescents admitted to a youth detention center (n=121) or a runaway/homeless shelter (n=156) who had runaway during the previous month. The groups were statistically identical on all demographics except shelter youth were about one year older than detention youth (t=-9.27 [df=275], p< .01). Depression and anxiety were measured using the Trauma Symptom Checklist (Briere, 1989). Individual and family factors were measured using a variety of standardized scales.

Results: Regression analyses demonstrated that being female, worrying about family relationships, and living away from parents at the time of admission to the facility predicted greater levels of depression (F = 26.35 [df=3,270] p=.000). Predictors of youth’s anxiety were being female, having greater runway episodes, using LSD, and feeling worried or negative about family relationships (F=17.90 [df=5,267] p=.000).

Conclusion/Implications: Results suggest these youth are at risk for depression and anxiety, particularly among females and should alert providers to target interventions toward addressing these problem areas. Improved integration of services is needed that utilize effective interventions across various service sectors, particularly those that provide crisis serves to this vulnerable youth population.

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