Citation

Wershler JL, Ronis ST. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 2015; 55: 29-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.05.009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Homeless youth represent a tremendously underserved population. Using participatory research methods, a self-report needs assessment was conducted with 187 male, suburban youth (16 to 18 years old) who were homeless or were vulnerable to homelessness. Over half of the participants indicated that they had been or currently were homeless, and generally reported serious problems regarding mental health, self-esteem, delinquency, substance use, family relationships, traumatic experiences, and scholastic achievement. Approximately one-third of the participants reported no service use (despite endorsing a variety of needs). The most common type of service used was therapy or counseling, particularly for those individuals who had been on probation. Implications of research findings, including recommendations for services to address the needs of the study population, are discussed.