Comparison of Social Estrangement Among Youth Who Are Accessing Homeless Services in St. Louis, Missouri and Austin, Texas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare young people seeking homeless services in two distinct geographic locations (Austin, Texas and St. Louis, Missouri). To determine differences between the two populations, the study used a guiding conceptual model of social estrangement that included four domains: institutional disaffiliation, psychological dysfunction, human capital, and identification with homeless culture. A sample of homeless youth (N = 96; 46 from St. Louis, 50 from Austin) were recruited through youth-serving agencies. Findings indicate two unique samples of street-involved youth in regards to affiliation with formal institutions, family support, and informal peer networks, suggesting distinct service needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Homeless youth
• street youth
• social estrangement

Notes

This project was funded by the Center for Mental Health Services Research at Washington University in St. Louis. The authors thank James Braun at Youth-In-Need.

Note. *p < .05;

**p < .01;

***p < .001 (Statistically significant after Bonferroni correction).

Note. *p < .05;

**p < .01;

***p < .001 (Statistically significant after Bonferroni correction).

Note. *p < .05;

**p < .01;

***p < .001 (Statistically significant after Bonferroni correction).

^∧Unable to calculate owing to low cell numbers.

Note. *p < .05;

**p < .01;

***p < .001 (Statistically significant after Bonferroni correction).