The Importance of Role Models Among Homeless Emerging Adults

Introduction: Positive Youth Development has been identified as a key for both health promotion and health prevention. Early adulthood is a special time to have support to develop but many young people do not have the right opportunities or support. This is especially true for the growing number of unstably housed and homeless emerging adults (HEA) in the United States.

Methods: A sample of HEA age 18-25 (n=251) were surveyed at three drop-in center in Los Angeles. Participants were asked demographic and socioeconomic questions and completed an egocentric social network survey where they nominate five closest network ties and reported who they identified as a role model. To measure positive youth development there were questions about program engagement, service efficacy, and connection to staff. Regression analyses examined relationships between network characteristics (the presence of role models) and engagement in self-care.

Results: Participants were 58% male, 27% African American, 44% were LGBQ, and averaged 21 years of age. 62%, of participants experienced HUD defined homelessness: living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. Networks were comprised of 80% adults, 76% someone they met since becoming homeless, 71% someone they knew before becoming homeless, 68% someone who is also a HEA, 66% a role model, 49% a family member, and 30% a staff member. When looking at the break up of role models: 42% were adults,  41% were someone they met since they have been homeless and 40% were people they knew from before becoming homeless. When looking at service engagement 48% participated in self care programs (yoga, meditation, art, music, counseling and support groups), while 44% knew where to find primary support services (i.e. drop in programs). Regression analyses explored the association between the presence of a role model (both in peer and out peer groups) and engagement in services and self-care practices; these showed a highly significant relationship between adult (p<0.000) role models and peer role models (p<0.005) and self efficacy and engagement with services.

Conclusions: The type of network connection that HEA identify as role models has an impact on service engagement. An adult role model that a HEA met since becoming homeless is related to scoring higher on the service efficacy scale, but not necessarily relate to pro-service behavior. When looking at peer role models we see that HEA are more likely to be engaged in self-care programs. These findings call for further research to be done to examine the relationship between role models, service engagement and positive youth development among HEA.

Learning Objectives

Examine impact of role models among HEA

Determine key factors that relate to role models, service efficacy and service engagement of HEA in drop-in centers.

Discuss the difference of peer role models and adult role models and their impact on HEA