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The prevalence of homelessness among adolescents in the United States

Author

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  • Ringwalt, C.L.
  • Greene, J.M.
  • Robertson, M.
  • McPheeters, M.

Abstract

Objectives. Homeless adolescents represent one of the nation's most vulnerable populations. This study reports the 12-month prevalence of homeless episodes among US adolescents. Methods. Personal, audiotaped interviews were conducted in 1992 and 1993 with a representative household sample of 6496 adolescents aged 12 to 17 as part of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respondents reported whether they had spent the night in any of a variety of locations other than home during the previous 12 months. Results. Altogether, 7.6% of the youths questioned reported that they had spent at least 1 night in a youth or adult shelter (3.3%), a public place (2.2%), an abandoned building (1.0%), outside (2.2%), underground (0.4%), or with a stranger (1.1%). Boys were much more likely than girls to report having experienced a homeless episode. Conclusions. This study suggests that homelessness among adolescents is not simply an urban problem and that prevention programs targeting homeless youths should be implemented nationwide. Additional research is needed to assess the frequency and duration of homeless experiences. Future studies of homelessness in the general population should include questions pertinent to adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Ringwalt, C.L. & Greene, J.M. & Robertson, M. & McPheeters, M., 1998. "The prevalence of homelessness among adolescents in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(9), pages 1325-1329.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1998:88:9:1325-1329_3
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    Cited by:

    1. Esparza, Nicole, 2009. "Community factors influencing the prevalence of homeless youth services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1321-1329, December.
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:7072 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Halverson, McKenna & Hatchimonji, Danielle R. & Treglia, Dan & Flatley, Claire A. & Herbers, Janette E. & Cutuli, J.J., 2022. "Risky sexual behavior and STI testing among teens experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    4. Bender, Kimberly & Barman-Adhikari, Anamika & DeChants, Jonah & Haffejee, Badiah & Anyon, Yolanda & Begun, Stephanie & Portillo, Andrea & Dunn, Kaite, 2017. "Asking for Change: Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a manualized photovoice intervention with youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 379-389.
    5. Sean A. Kidd & Kathryn Scrimenti, 2004. "Evaluating Child and Youth Homelessness," Evaluation Review, , vol. 28(4), pages 325-341, August.
    6. Kennedy, Angie C. & Agbényiga, DeBrenna LaFa & Kasiborski, Natalie & Gladden, Jessica, 2010. "Risk chains over the life course among homeless urban adolescent mothers: Altering their trajectories through formal support," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 1740-1749, December.
    7. Heather Koball & Robin Dion & Andrew Gothro & Maura Bardos & Amy Dworsky & Jiffy Lansing & Matthew Stagner & Danijela Korom-Djakovic & Carla Herrera & Alice Elizabeth Manning, "undated". "Synthesis of Research and Resources to Support At-Risk Youth," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 8353b63284d94941bcb778e1c, Mathematica Policy Research.
    8. James O'Donnell, 2020. "Estimating annual rates of homelessness," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 43(1), pages 1-34.
    9. Heinze, Hillary J. & Jozefowicz, Debra M. Hernandez & Toro, Paul A., 2010. "Taking the youth perspective: Assessment of program characteristics that promote positive development in homeless and at-risk youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1365-1372, October.
    10. A. M. Coumans & M. Cruyff & P. G. M. Heijden & J. Wolf & H. Schmeets, 2017. "Estimating Homelessness in the Netherlands Using a Capture-Recapture Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 130(1), pages 189-212, January.
    11. Ryan, Tiffany N. & Thompson, Sanna J., 2013. "Perspectives on housing among homeless emerging adults," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 107-114.
    12. Brooks, Ronald A. & Milburn, Norweeta G. & Jane Rotheram-Borus, Mary & Witkin, Andrea, 2004. "The system-of-care for homeless youth: perceptions of service providers," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 443-451, November.

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