Methods: A convenience sample (n=200) of highly transient, homeless young adults (18-24 years) was recruited for participation through a street outreach, drop-in center located in a large urban city in the southern United States. Self-report, standardized measures were conducted orally to control for literacy problems. Data collection consisted of reliable scales measuring participants' individual characteristics (demographics), DSM-IV criteria for mental health challenges (depression, trauma) using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), coping strategies (avoidant, healthy) using the Coping Scale, and perceptions of the future (optimism, pessimism) using the Future Time Perspective Scale. The dependent variable, resiliency, was measured using the Resilience Scale. Multiple regression analyses examined these factors in relation to resiliency.
Results: Participants averaged 21 years of age and were predominately male (64%) and Caucasian (76%). Most youth (63%) had been living in a shelter, on the street, or squatting in abandoned houses, motels, hotels, or cars. Over one-fourth (27%) had experienced a drug overdose; more than half (62%) reported being threatened with serious bodily harm/death, had been physically assaulted (60.5%) or sexually assaulted (22%). Following bivariate analyses, OLS regression was conducted. The final model demonstrated that lower levels of depression, utilizing a variety of coping strategies, including actively dealing with problems, and having optimistic perceptions of the future significantly predicted higher resilience, F(5, 183)=28.557, p<.001. Utilizing a variety of coping strategies was the greatest predictor of resiliency among homeless young adults. The model accounted for 44% of the variance.
Conclusions: Homeless young adults who are living in dangerous environments are often considered deviant. Although vulnerable, these young people face significant challenges on the streets; focusing solely on their maladaptive nature perpetuates negative stereotypes that overlook their personal strengths. Findings suggest that homeless young adults who utilize various coping mechanisms, feel optimistic about the future and do not suffer from mental health problems have higher levels of resiliency. Practitioners and service providers who work with this population must recognize that personal strengths, coping mechanisms, and optimism may facilitate increased engagement with this population. Effective interventions that acknowledge the resiliency of this population can assist homeless young people in adopting a more future-oriented perspective that enables them to plan for their life goals, effect positive change, and potentially transition out of homelessness.
