Social and psychological resources among homeless youth: protection against risk for physical victimization?

ABSTRACT

This study examines child physical abuse, social and psychological resources, and street physical victimization among 150 homeless youth from the Midwest. Path analyses results show that males have higher self-efficacy than females, while older youth and those who experienced less child physical abuse reported higher self-esteem. Self-efficacy and self-esteem were positively associated with social support as was being younger and having experienced less child physical abuse. Younger respondents reported fewer difficulties obtaining basic necessities, and those who had less trouble finding these necessities experienced less street physical victimization. Females, younger youth, and those who experienced less child physical abuse reported lower rates of physical victimization. Agencies should be aware that many youth experiencing homelessness have trouble obtaining basic necessities, which increases risk for victimization. Moreover, the ability to obtain necessities appears to override the influential role of social support, further affirming the foundational importance of agencies helping youth meet their basic needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Homeless youth
• physical victimization
• social resources
• psychological resources
• child physical abuse

Acknowledgement

This study is based on research funded by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA036806). Dr. Kimberly A. Tyler, PI.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Kimberly A. Tyler, Ph.D., is Willa Cather Professor of Sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research interests include homelessness, child abuse and neglect, partner violence, re-victimization, substance use, and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents and youth.

Rachel M. Schmitz, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University. Her research interests include gender and sexuality, the family, LGBTQ youth and young adults, and qualitative methods.

Colleen M. Ray, M.S., is a doctoral candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses primarily on violence and victimization. More specifically, she is interested in the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of certain groups such as children, young adults, sexual minority individuals, and males.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA036806). Dr. Kimberly A. Tyler, Principal Investigator.