Factors associated with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder among homeless youth in three U.S. cities: the importance of transience.
Homeless youth experience disproportionately high rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined correlates of trauma and PTSD among homeless youth with a focus on the impact of homeless culture, substance addiction, and mental health challenges. Homeless youth (N = 146) from Los Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado, and St. Louis, Missouri, were recruited from organizations providing services to homeless youth using comparable methods. Results indicate that 57% of respondents had experienced a traumatic event and 24% met criteria for PTSD. A multinomial logistic regression model revealed greater transience, alcohol addiction, mania, and lower self-efficacy predicted PTSD whereas trauma exposure was associated with alcohol addiction only. Findings have implications for screening and intervening with traumatized homeless youth across service settings.
Bender
Kimberly
K
Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA. kimberly.bender@du.edu
Ferguson
Kristin
K
Thompson
Sanna
S
Komlo
Chelsea
C
Pollio
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D002947:Cities; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult