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Self injurious behavior among homeless young adults: A social stress analysis

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  • Tyler, Kimberly
  • Melander, Lisa
  • Almazan, Elbert

Abstract

Although self-mutilation has been studied from medical and individual perspectives, it has rarely been examined within a social stress context. As such, we use a social stress framework to examine risk factors for self-mutilation to determine whether status strains that are often associated with poorer health outcomes in the general population are also associated with self-mutilation among a sample of young adults in the United States who have a history of homelessness. Data are drawn from the Homeless Young Adult Project which involved interviews with 199 young adults in 3 Midwestern United States cities. The results of our path analyses revealed that numerous stressors including running away, substance use, sexual victimization, and illegal subsistence strategies were associated with more self-mutilation. In addition, we found that certain social statuses exacerbate the risk for self-mutilation beyond the respondents' current situation of homelessness. We discuss the implications of our findings for the social stress framework and offer suggestions for studying this unique population within this context.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyler, Kimberly & Melander, Lisa & Almazan, Elbert, 2010. "Self injurious behavior among homeless young adults: A social stress analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(2), pages 269-276, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:70:y:2010:i:2:p:269-276
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Demakakos, Panayotes & Nazroo, James & Breeze, Elizabeth & Marmot, Michael, 2008. "Socioeconomic status and health: The role of subjective social status," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 330-340, July.
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    3. Cochran, B.N. & Stewart, A.J. & Ginzler, J.A. & Cauce, A.M., 2002. "Challenges faced by homeless sexual minorities: Comparison of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender homeless adolescents with their heterosexual counterparts," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 773-777.
    4. Honjo, Kaori & Tsutsumi, Akizumi & Kawachi, Ichiro & Kawakami, Norito, 2006. "What accounts for the relationship between social class and smoking cessation? Results of a path analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 317-328, January.
    5. Auerswald, Colette L. & Eyre, Stephen L., 2002. "Youth homelessness in San Francisco: A life cycle approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 54(10), pages 1497-1512, May.
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    1. Bender, Kimberly & Thompson, Sanna J. & Ferguson, Kristin & Komlo, Chelsea & Taylor, Chelsea & Yoder, Jamie, 2012. "Substance use and victimization: Street-involved youths' perspectives and service implications," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(12), pages 2392-2399.

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