The phenomenon of adolescent runaway behavior is of critical concern to mental health professionals. Conceptualization, prediction, and treatment interventions are of extreme importance. This study sought to build upon prior research by using the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Previous research indicated that adolescent running away…

This hearing was the second in a series examining the impact of homelessness and dislocation on young people in America. This session focused on the problems of homeless and runaway adolescents. Witnesses described the need for multiple services for this population, for effective provision of services, and for greater coordination and planning.…

This document contains witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to consider H.R. 604, a bill which would amend the Missing Children's Assistance Act, to direct the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants for establishing, assisting, or expanding state missing children…

A practicum at a crisis intervention center in the middle of a large Canadian city in Ontario was designed to offer crisis intervention, shelter, and non-residential support for runaway and homeless youth, ages 16 to 21, who lived on the streets or in emergency shelters. The practicum provided an opportunity for program staff to develop a…

This report on the congressional hearings before the House Subcommittee on Human Resources concerns the Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1980, a bill to reauthorize and extend the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. The text of the proposed amendments is followed by numerous statements, letters, and supplemental materials…

Parental discipline appears to play a major role in the development of delinquent and aggressive behavior. The belt theory predicts that parents who have used corporal punishment are likely to produce children who exhibit delinquent behavior. A striking factor is that all delinquent youths see corporal punishment as necessary in child rearing and…

This paper suggests that research has shown that street youth are running from homes characterized by domestic violence, parental drug and alcohol abuse, or child abuse or neglect. This packet describes federal support for helping runaway and homeless youth and reviews implementation of the "Street Outreach Program" and best practices.…

Presents research on the relationship of two family counseling models (one with temporary foster placement, one without) to the recidivism of runaway teenagers. Research shows the Brief Family Intervention counseling model to be a statistically viable tool in deterring repeated runaway episodes. (Author)

Interviews with 372 homeless and runaway adolescents found one-half reported being physically abused and almost one-third experienced sexual abuse. Females experienced significantly higher rates of sexual abuse. Sexual minority youth experienced more physical and sexual abuse compared to heterosexual youth. Nonfamily members most often perpetrated…

Examines the victimization of runaways using a sample of 84 adolescents in a midwestern city of about 250,000 people. Finds that these youth, like runaways in larger cities, are doubly victimized by abusive family situations and by life on the streets. Sex differences in the processes that influence victimization are discussed. (FMW)

A multicausal model of adolescent homelessness was tested in 54 homeless adolescents and 58 controls. The homeless adolescents were found to be significantly more deprived emotionally, socially, and culturally than the controls. Subjects reported a lack of parental warmth, care, and support; unstimulating family environments; high levels of family…

Describes studies of two rural programs for diverting status offenders from court system to alternative community programs. Examines communities and programs, suggests rural offender characteristics are similar to urban ones. Recommends development of community-based alternatives to child welfare and juvenile justice systems. (TES)

Many homeless youth may be considered "thrownaway" in that they have specifically been told to leave home. Prevalence data, family background characteristics, and high-risk behaviors of youth are examined in two national samples: (1) youth residing in shelters; (2) street youth in 10 cities. Implications of findings are discussed.…

Running away is a frequent but little studied phenomenon among adolescents in foster care. Repeated running from care often leads to premature discharge and homelessness for youth. This article uses cumulative risk theory in the context of normative adolescent development to investigate predictors of running away from foster care. Results indicate…

This presentation describes dropout facts and prevention methods based on nationwide interviews with dropout runaways. Potential dropout runaways might be labeled the "distracted ones." They have trouble concentrating in a typical classroom situation as they are distracted by events that happened at home or that might happen after school. Such…