title: Familial characteristics of street children in tehran, iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The phenomenon of street children is one of the most important concerns facing global community. Identifying risk factors in such children could lead to crucial investigations to find their essential needs by intervention programs. The present study examined the family profile of street children in Tehran, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 576 street children who were evaluated by 15 examiners. Using multi-stage sampling, twenty-seven different areas of Tehran were divided into 5 clusters and the children were selected randomly from each cluster. The two questionnaires applied included a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire about high-risk behaviors such as substance use, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, etc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistical significant association between the length of work time and two variables: sex and economic status of family (p < 0.05). Incarceration history of street children who had lost both their parents and their parents had been divorced was significantly higher than others (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The street children's lifestyle is a risk factor for affecting them to variety types of socio-mental problems. Statistical significant association between parental divorces or the loss of both parents with a history of conviction mentions the important role of parents in transmitting moral and social values to children.
authors: Associate Professor, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Ahmad Reza
authors: AR
authors: Ahmad Khaniha
authors: Associate Professor, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Hakim Shooshtari
authors: Assistant Professor, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mehrdad
authors: M
authors: Mohammadian
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Bidaki
authors: Medical Student, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Pourrashidi Boshrabadi
keywords: Iran; Street Children; Tehran; amilial Characteristics