Funding for this study was provided in Los Angeles by the Haynes Foundation, in Denver by the University of Denver, School of Social Work, and in St. Louis by the Center for Mental Health Services Research, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. We would like to acknowledge Jina Jun, MA, from the University of Texas at Austin, Gretchen Heidemann, MSW, from the University of Southern California School of Social Work, Jennifer McClendon, PhD, from George Warren Brown School of Social Work, and Daniela Young, from the University of Denver for their involvement in the study as research assistants.
1573-6598/asset/olbannerleft.jpg?v=1&s=0b2c1a19dc102ab82d8f890e3ac1a9b7f8bc89f1)
1573-6598/asset/olbannerright.jpg?v=1&s=c35027df18244592191357dea2c3c2caf0dcfd14)
Research Article
Factors associated with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder among homeless youth in three U.S. cities: The importance of transience†
Article first published online: 9 FEB 2010
DOI: 10.1002/jts.20501
Copyright © 2010 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Issue
1573-6598/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=9f8273d5a6117c7b9272d2b6a5d5360499f82807 "Journal of Traumatic Stress")
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Special Issue: Psychological Consequences of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Volume 23, Issue 1, pages 161–168, February 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
Bender, K., Ferguson, K., Thompson, S., Komlo, C. and Pollio, D. (2010), Factors associated with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder among homeless youth in three U.S. cities: The importance of transience. J. Traum. Stress, 23: 161–168. doi: 10.1002/jts.20501
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 FEB 2010
- Article first published online: 9 FEB 2010
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
Homeless youth experience disproportionately high rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined correlates of trauma and PTSD among homeless youth with a focus on the impact of homeless culture, substance addiction, and mental health challenges. Homeless youth (N = 146) from Los Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado, and St. Louis, Missouri, were recruited from organizations providing services to homeless youth using comparable methods. Results indicate that 57% of respondents had experienced a traumatic event and 24% met criteria for PTSD. A multinomial logistic regression model revealed greater transience, alcohol addiction, mania, and lower self-efficacy predicted PTSD whereas trauma exposure was associated with alcohol addiction only. Findings have implications for screening and intervening with traumatized homeless youth across service settings.