Substance use predictors of victimization profiles among homeless youth: a latent class analysis.
Although a substantial body of literature demonstrates high prevalence of street victimization among homeless youth, few studies have investigated the existence of victimization classes that differ on the type and frequency of victimization experienced. Nor do we know how substance use patterns relate to victimization classes. Using latent class analysis (LCA), we examined the existence of victimization classes of homeless youth and investigated substance use predictors of class membership utilizing a large purposive sample (N=601) recruited from homeless youth-serving host agencies in three disparate regions of the U.S. Results of the LCA suggest the presence of three distinct victimization profiles - youth fit into a low-victimization class, a witness class, or a high-victimization class. These three victimization classes demonstrated differences in their substance use, including rates of substance abuse/dependence on alcohol and/or drugs. The presence of distinct victimization profiles suggests the need for screening and referral for differential services.
Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO 80208, USA. Electronic address: Kimberly.Bender@du.edu.
Kimberly
K
Bender
School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 1717 West 6th Street, Suite 295, Austin, TX 78703, USA. Electronic address: Sannathompson@mail.utexas.edu.
Sanna
S
Thompson
City University of New York, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10035, USA. Electronic address: kferg@hunter.cuny.edu.
Kristin
K
Ferguson
Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO 80208, USA. Electronic address: lisalang65@gmail.com.
Lisa
L
Langenderfer
D000293:Adolescent; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Homeless youth; Latent class; Substances; Victimization