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Youth Homelessness Research Paper

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"I was homeless for about eight months, I refused to live with my dad or anyone for that matter. So I stayed somewhere that had no hot water, ever, no heat, I told myself I have to be strong and get through it on my own." (West).Youth homelessness is becoming an increasing problem in the United States. Youth are either forced out of their homes or leave because a combination of push and pull factors. There are many factors contributing to youth homelessness including abuse, addiction, family breakdown, and PTSD. Abuse in families or relationships is a factor of youth homelessness. "The current body of research indicates that abuse, breakdown, and disruptive family relationships are common contributing factors to youth homelessness." Children …show more content…
Homeless youth in the United States are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. There is an increasing number of substance abuse prevention programs, but homeless youth are often disconnected from substance abuse programs often taught in schools. Peer led interventions promote behavior change and tries to disseminate health information. In a survey of 419 homeless youth, aged 13 to 24 years, admitted to experimenting with drugs and alcohol. "Shared drug use was more likely to occur with recent sex partners, drinkers, sexual risk takers, opinion leaders, support providers and popular people." (Green, 1209). Youth are sometimes peer pressured into doing activities they wouldn't normally do. Although some are peer pressured others are drawn in to addictive behaviors in an attempt to drown out their pain or feel numb to get out of their problems and stress. Others engage in addictive behaviors to rebel, feel grown up, to relieve boredom, or even just to experiment. Youth believe that addictive behaviors is the solution, but in reality it becomes the …show more content…
A survey showed 24% of homeless youth met criteria for PTSD. "Homeless youth experienced disproportionately high rates of trauma and PTSD." (Bender, 163). On the street approximately 83% of homeless youth reported exposure to at least one form of victimization. Another survey indicates 57% of respondents had experienced a traumatic event. A model revealed homeless youth alcohol addiction, mania and lower self efficiency predicted PTSD whereas trauma exposure was associated with alcohol addiction only. Going through traumatic events can sometimes put the child in a position to make choices they usually are not ready to make on their own. Homeless youth do not have a guardian around to help talk about the traumatic event so they are forced to deal with the effect alone. Youth who fail to seek treatment are most likely to re-experience , numbness, feelings or emotions and

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