Citation

Votta E, Farrell S. J. Can. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 2009; 18(2): 126-132.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study explored differences in the impact of self-reported coping style, self-esteem and perceived support on the psychological adjustment of homeless and housed female youth.

METHOD: Data were obtained from homeless female youth (n = 72, M = 17.5 years) accessing an emergency shelter in a large Canadian urban centre and a comparison group of housed females (n = 102; M = 17.2 years) from local high schools who had never resided in a shelter.

RESULTS: Homeless youth reported lower self-worth, increased suicidal behaviour, less perceived parental support and higher levels of depressive symptoms and both internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems than housed youth. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that disengagement coping was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms and both internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems in homeless and housed youth.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings reflect the merit of considering coping style, parental support and self-worth in the presentation of depressive symptoms and behaviour problems in homeless and housed female youth.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; Canada; human; Females; female; suicidal ideation; depression; Coping; drug use; suicide attempt; prediction; homelessness; adolescent health; Homeless youth; article; controlled study; self report; automutilation; child parent relation; coping behavior; cigarette smoking; adaptive behavior; psychosocial care; peer group; cross-sectional study; self esteem; high school; Beck Depression Inventory; outcome assessment; parental attitude; Psychological adjustment; Self-worth