Who They Are and Why They Run: A Scoping Review to Understand Runaway Behavior in the Child Welfare System

Background and Purpose:
The Child Welfare System (CWS) is intended to protect vulnerable children from maltreatment and provide safe, stable care. However, a significant number of children in the CWS run away from care each year. These incidents are not only underreported but are associated with serious consequences including heightened risks of exploitation, homelessness, substance use, and justice system involvement. Despite growing concern, there remains a lack of synthesized knowledge on the factors and motivations underlying runaway behavior in this population. This scoping review aims to address this gap by: (1) identifying key demographic, child-, family-, and system-level risk factors associated with running away from CWS; and (2) exploring children’s motivations for running away.

Methods:
Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched five databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Social Science and Social Work Abstracts, and ERIC). This scoping review included studies that met the following criteria: (1) examining children who entered CWS; (2) reporting on children who ran away from CWS; (3) identifying factors or the motivation of runaway; (4) articles written in English; (5) articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 1991 and March 2025. After screening 289 articles and conducting full-text reviews, 33 studies were included. Data were extracted and synthesized using a narrative approach.

Results:
The majority of studies (66.6%) were quantitative; others used qualitative (18.2%) or mixed methods (15.2%). Most were conducted in high-income countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and New Zealand. The studies predominantly focused on youth in out-of-home care (OHC), particularly foster and residential care. Demographic Risk Factors: Older youth (ages 14–17), girls, and youth of color (especially Black and Hispanic children) were more likely to run away. Socioeconomic and regional disparities also influenced runaway rates. Child-Level Factors: Histories of physical or sexual abuse, substance use, criminal behavior, and mental health challenges were frequently associated with increased runaway behavior. Findings on the influence of health conditions were mixed. Family-Related Factors: Family structure, sibling placement, and parental incarceration also emerged as influential. System-Level Factors: Placement instability, inadequate mental health services, restrictive rules, and bullying or conflicts in care settings contributed to runaway episodes. Kinship care was associated with lower rates of running away. Motivations: Youth expressed a desire for freedom, connection with friends or family, and escape from negative conditions (e.g., bullying, overregulation). Substance use and unmet needs were common motivating factors.

Conclusions and Implications:
This review reveals that running away from CWS is a complex, multifaceted issue rooted in both personal and systemic challenges. Interventions must be trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and tailored to the unique needs of youth. Emphasis should be placed on improving placement stability, strengthening kinship care options, addressing racial and gender disparities, and fostering meaningful youth engagement. Future research should explore the effectiveness of prevention-focused interventions and qualitative studies to better understand the voices of children within the system.