@article{ref1,
title="General strain predictors of arrest history among homeless youths from four United States cities",
journal="Journal of juvenile justice",
year="2012",
author="Ferguson, Kristin M. and Bender, Kimberly and Thompson, Sanna J. and Xie, Bin and Pollo, David",
volume="1",
number="2",
pages="1-19",
abstract="This study identifies mental health and situational predictors of arrest history among homeless youth in four U.S. cities. Using convenience sampling, we recruited 188 homeless youths from shelters, drop-in centers, and street outreach using similar methods. The youths, aged 18-24, came from Los Angeles, California (n = 50), Denver, Colorado (n = 50), New Orleans, Louisiana (n = 50), and St. Louis, Missouri (n = 38). General strain theory provided a framework for identifying factors related to arrest history, including length of time homeless, level of transience, victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance dependence, and the use of survival strategies. We tested the general strain model using observed-variable path analysis. Collectively, youths' length of time homeless, drug dependence, and use of survival strategies explained 17% of the variance in arrest history. We found a significant overall mediation effect from transience to arrest history through greater victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug dependence, and survival strategies. This study offers one of the first applications of general strain theory to identify both mental health and situational strains--and responses to strains--among homeless youth. <br><br>FINDINGS have important implications for research and preventive interventions to address delinquency among this population. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to: Kristin M. Ferguson, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10035; E-mail: kferg@hunter.cuny.eduKeywords: Juvenile justice, Homeless youth, crime, arrest, path model, general strain theory<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2153-8026",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}