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This study used the risk and resilience framework to examine predictors of formal and informal sources of income among homeless young adults. Formal sources of income generation consisted of full-time, part-time, or paid, temporary work. Informal sources included earning money from selling personal possessions, selling drugs, and theft. In all, 601 homeless young adults from three U.S. cities participated in semi-structured interviews. Structural equation modeling assessed whether demographic, homelessness history, mental health, problem behaviors, and resilience predicted income generation source. Income generation from formal sources was associated with being male, having a greater number of problem behaviors, and reporting higher levels of resilience. Informal income generation was associated with younger age, being transient, and reporting a greater number of problem behaviors. Findings underscore the need to address homelessness risk factors to support homeless young adults in securing stable, formal employment as an alternative to informal survival behaviors to earn income.

Objective: This article presents the Journey of Hope (JoH), a school-based intervention for children who have experienced a collective trauma such as a natural disaster. Through the use of group work, the JoH focuses on building coping skills and enhancing protective factors to help children recover. Method: This quasi-experimental research included 102 children impacted by tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2011. Results: Through an hierarchical linear model analysis with (n = 48) from the JoH group and (n = 54) from a wait-list control group, the outcomes indicate that after participation in the JoH youth had increased coping skills, F(100) = 5.270, p < 0.05, and prosocial behaviors, F(95) = 4.286, p < 0.05. This is the first quasi-experimental design to be conducted on the JoH; findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of this broad-based postdisaster intervention. Conclusion: Future replication studies with larger samples in other societies impacted by a natural disaster are needed to further evaluate the JoH's impact in enhancing coping and building resilience.

This study explored the perceptions of resilience and coping among homeless young adults, a focus that differs from previous research by considering the unconventional resilience and coping of this high-risk population. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 45 homeless young adults. Individual interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by coders using an iterative process of content analysis. Findings revealed four primary themes that highlight perceptions of resiliency and coping, including individual strengths, positive life perspective, external social supports, and individual coping strategies. Implications for professionals working with this population suggest that developing and strengthening programs tailored to utilize homeless young adults' resiliency may be beneficial. Recognizing the strengths and resilience that homeless young adults are capable of, and incorporating a strength-based perspective to empower these young adults, may encourage positive choices and increase the likelihood of transitioning out of homelessness.

This study identified predictors of transience among homeless emerging adults in three cities. A total of 601 homeless emerging adults from Los Angeles, Austin, and Denver were recruited using purposive sampling. Ordinary least squares regression results revealed that significant predictors of greater transience include White ethnicity, high school degree or equivalent, homeless residence in the 6 months prior to the study, longer period of homelessness, history of arrest and juvenile detention, earning income through informal sources, history of physical abuse, alcohol/drug addiction, and resilience characteristics. Quantitative findings were expanded upon with data from in-depth interviews with 145 of these homeless emerging adults regarding their reasons and motivations for transience. Identifying predictors of transience will facilitate customizing interventions that, when needed, aim to stabilize homeless emerging adults, prevent their mobility, and/or offer mobile services to them on the road.

This mixed-methods study identified correlates of unemployment among homeless young adults in five cities. Two hundred thirty-eight homeless young people from Los Angeles (n = 50), Austin (n = 50), Denver (n = 50), New Orleans (n = 50), and St. Louis (n = 38) were recruited using comparable sampling strategies. Multivariate logistic regression results indicate that homeless young adults were more likely to be unemployed if they had been on the streets longer, currently lived on the streets, earned an income from panhandling, and were addicted to drugs. Quantitative findings are expanded on with focus-group data from a group of homeless young people in Los Angeles regarding their challenges in locating and maintaining employment. Employment-related barriers for this population include prior homelessness, geographic transience, previous felonies, mental illness, and addiction. Findings suggest that homeless young adults' employment status and use of specific income-generating activities may be influenced by demographic, environmental, and geographic contexts. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study examines internalizing mental health symptoms (depression and posttraumatic stress disorder) as potential intervening factors in the relationship between maltreatment and delinquency using data from the National Survey for Child and Adolescent Well-Being (N = 1,179). Significant mediating effects indicated that youth at greater risk of maltreatment experienced higher levels of internalizing symptoms that result in increased risk for delinquent behavior, although longitudinal effects were not supported. These findings highlight internalizing mental health symptoms as an important factor to address in treating victimized children at risk of future delinquency. Implications for child welfare service provision are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Nearly 10% of Latino youth who are twelve and older are in need of substance abuse treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use. Ethnic differences exist with regard to susceptibility to drug use, attitudes regarding drugs, and drug resistance strategies. The failure of some substance abuse prevention programs can be traced in part to their lack of cultural sensitivity. This article reviews substance use patterns of Latino youth, presents some unique culturally-based factors that should be considered in clinical work with Latino youth, and then reviews two culturally-sensitive intervention strategies that have been tested with this unique population (Familias Unidas and Brief Strategic Family Therapy).

Research has indicated that a high proportion of homeless emerging adults use substances. This article aims to understand the attitudes of these young adults concerning their substance use and its effect on their lives. A mixed methods study using semistructured interviews and self-report instruments was conducted with 87 emerging adults who received homeless services from a community drop-in center. Qualitative analyses found that participants reported positive attitudes of substance use; however, many recognized the benefits of a life without drugs or alcohol. Findings suggest attitudes toward substance use and the role of substance use in the lives of homeless emerging adults are viewed as a valuable means of coping with street life, connecting with peers, and managing physical and mental health symptoms. (Contains 2 tables.)

Little is known about trauma-related symptoms among runaway adolescents. Precocious departure from familial homes often exposes youth to traumatic victimization. This study examined the extent to which runaway adolescents present trauma symptomotology and assessed factors that predict trauma symptoms. Participants (N = 350) were 12-18 years of age and currently domiciled in youth emergency shelters. Results showed that trauma symptoms were not significantly greater than found among other youth norms. Multiple regression models indicated that being male, experiencing depression, sexual concerns, and problems in family functioning significantly predicted trauma-related symptoms of anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation. However, lack of peer support, depression, and substance abuse predicted the trauma-related symptom of anger. Findings suggest that effective services target the entire family unit and develop greater cohesion and support within the family. (Contains 5 tables.)

Previous research indicates that runaway and homeless youth often achieve positive outcomes after shelter stays however few studies have examined how these outcomes are achieved. This study employs qualitative methods to explicate this phenomenon. Twenty-five providers and 21 youth from four shelters participated in this study. Youth were recruited who had completed shelter care and returned home for minimally six months. Multiple raters identified themes and created a conceptual model. While in shelter, youths experienced structure and freedom, and the family experienced respite. Once youth became involved in treatment, the family re-connected and the youth returned home. After returning home, youth and family become involved in follow-up services. Results from our study provide insight into the process through which runaway/homeless youth return home after a shelter stay. Our findings emphasize the need for continued change by all members of the family system, highlighting the need for continued intervention to maintain positive changes.

This research examined outcomes and use of specific types of services 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-discharge for a large sample of runaway/homeless youth using crisis shelter services. Data were collected for 371 runaway/homeless youth using emergency shelter and crisis services at eleven agencies across a four-state midwestern region. Outcomes were assessed for runaway behavior, family relationships, substance use, school behavior, employment, sexual behavior, and self-esteem. Additionally, the impact of services on outcomes was assessed. Findings indicated that although youth achieved a wide variety of positive outcomes 6 weeks post-discharge, there were signs of attenuation of certain outcomes by the 6 month follow-up. Service use after discharge did not demonstrate a strong impact on maintaining outcomes. The substantive findings reported here present encouraging evidence for providers of services for runaway/homeless youth. Crisis shelter services appear to facilitate broad-based short-term gains, but do not appear sufficient to maintain these gains over an extended period.

The high rates of substance use among American adolescents are challenging; however, runaway youth are at particularly high-risk for substance use. Runaway youth utilizing two service sectors, emergency crisis shelters and juvenile detention centers, were recruited to evaluate differences in risk factors associated with substance use. Findings demonstrate that youth admitted to juvenile detention (n = 121) had proportionally higher levels of problem behaviors, including substance use, than youth admitted to shelter services (n = 156). Both groups of youth have significantly higher levels of substance use than national estimates. The most significant risk factor for alcohol and marijuana use among youth in both groups was using other substances. Addressing issues of substance abuse among runaway youth must be a prime objective for future research and treatment for this high-risk population.

Social work has traversed a vast expanse since its roots in settlement houses and as friendly visitors to making a profound mark on the world of social science research. The authors begin by examining the role of research in the social work profession and then discuss current changes, directions, and challenges in the pursuit of research funds. Highlighted will be Career Development Awards, specifically the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award or the K01 mechanism offered by the National Institutes of Health. A historical context is set, the mechanism described, and two social work K01 grantees illustrate the utility and promise of this funding source for conducting social work research. This manuscript aims to help readers determine (a) if the K mechanism is a good fit with their goals and needs and (b) how to pursue a K-Award successfully. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.)

Public education that encourages family discussions about organ and tissue donation can enhance understanding, facilitate a donor's wishes and increase the numbers of donations. Action research methods were used to explore the impact of a student-initiated family discussion about donation. Most discussions were positive; only 7% middle school and 4% high school participants described them as "terrible." "Getting it started" was the most difficult. High school students felt "very" or "somewhat" prepared, whereas middle school students only felt "somewhat prepared." Guided family discussions ensure that families have accurate information about donation and an opportunity to talk about end-of-life choices in a non-crisis situation.

Article discusses two questions: (1) What are the differences among runaway-homeless, throwaway, and independent youth? (2) What youth demographics, personal characteristics, and family factors predict youth's reunification? Among runaway-homeless youths, family characteristics were most important for reunification; among throwaway youths, problem behaviors predicted not returning home; and among independent youths, only individual demographics predicted reunification. (BF)

Discusses the extent to which family structure is significantly associated with health in youth with Type 1 diabetes. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that family structure remains a significant predictor of youth's health when statistically controlling for race, child's age, family socioeconomic status, and adherence. (BF)

Using an ecological framework, identifies sociodemographic, family, and community predictors of mothers' satisfaction with their children's medical care. Results indicate that demographics exert little influence on satisfaction, whereas family and community stressors do influence satisfaction. Mothers reporting greater perceptions of racism and family stress were less satisfied with children's medical care. (RJM)

The peer relationships of homeless youths in the U.S. and South Korea are discussed that draw upon the conceptual framework of individualism versus collectivism. Street peers play a very critical role in shaping homeless youths' attitude towards society and life in general.