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. 2015;18(8):1015-1034.
doi: 10.1080/13676261.2015.1020930. Epub 2015 Mar 24.

Longitudinal Predictors of Homelessness: Findings from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-97

Brittany Sznajder-Murray  1 , Joy Bohyun Jang  2 , Natasha Slesnick  3 , Anastasia Snyder  4
Affiliations

Longitudinal Predictors of Homelessness: Findings from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-97

Brittany Sznajder-Murray et al. J Youth Stud. 2015.

Abstract

Homeless youth represent a vulnerable and understudied population. Little research has prospectively identified factors that may place youth at risk for experiencing homelessness. The current study utilizes data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-97 (NLSY-97) to examine predictors of experiencing homelessness as a young adult (before age 25). The NLSY-97 includes a nationally representative sample of 8,984 youth. Data were first collected from these youth when they were between the ages of 12 to 18 years. The current study examined whether individual and family risk factors reported during adolescence predict homelessness by the age of 25. The findings showed that multiple runaway episodes, non-traditional family structure, lower educational attainment, and parental work limitations due to health increased the risk of homelessness. A permissive parenting style and being Hispanic protected against homelessness. This study offers unique insight into risk and protective factors for youth homelessness, and has important clinical implications.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Odds ratios for the relationship between runaway and homeless experiences
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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