Age Differences Among Homeless Individuals: Adolescence Through Adulthood

Abstract

The present study examines differences between homeless adolescents, young adults, and older adults served by homeless shelters or food programs to inform service provision. Four homeless studies using the same sampling and measurement methods were pooled to permit comparisons across age groups. Results showed that homeless adolescents demonstrated greater resilience than younger and older adults. Adolescents reported the shortest duration of homelessness, lowest number of life stressors, fewest physical symptoms, largest social networks, and fewest clinically significant mental health problems. Adolescents also received fewer alcohol and drug abuse diagnoses than younger and older adults. Younger adults reported less time homeless and fewer physical symptoms than older adults, but more life stressors. Younger adults also endorsed higher levels of hostile and paranoid psychological symptoms. Implications for service provision and policy are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• adults
• homeless
• mental health
• substance abuse

This research was supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Grant AA10597, the City of Detroit Department of Human Services, the Homeless Action Network of Detroit and Wayne County, and Wayne State University (Paul A. Toro, Principal Investigator in each case). We thank the following for their contributions to data collection and other aspects of this research: Marilyn Goldstein, Sylvie Lombardo, Pamela McCaskill, Laurenn Rowland, and others associated with our Research Group on Homelessness and Poverty. Further details on the research projects on which this report is based can be found at: http://sun.science.wayne.edu/~ptoro/

Notes

Note: Age differences control for gender and race. Means presented are for original, non-transformed scales. F values reflect variables transformed to correct skew.

∗∗∗p < .001.

^a MANOVA F = 32.47 (6, 1578), p < .001.

^b MANOVA F = 13.98 (8, 1200), p < .001.

∗∗∗p < .001.

^a Age differences controlling for gender and race.

^b MANOVA F = 10.40 (18, 1550), p < .001.