National and Regional Differences Among Runaway Youth Using Federally-Funded Crisis Services

ABSTRACT

This study examined national and regional differences between runaway shelter users and national census norms on demographic and high-risk characteristics. Data collected from federally-funded youth shelters nationwide (n = 16,652) were compared with U.S. adolescent populations (n = 26,735,028). Runaway youth were more likely to be female, minority and older than respective national figures; ethnicity varied greatly from one region of the U.S. to another. Proportions of youth with high-risk characteristics, such as illicit drug use and selling, suicidal behaviors, and physical and sexual abuse were strikingly different across regions. Development of policies and services that target particular issues of youth in specific regions is needed.

Key Words:

• Runaway youth
• high-risk youth
• regional variation
• national data