Examined Orten and Soll's typology and Homer's conceptualization of runaways as "running from" or "running to" something; expanded context to include interactions with family and professionals. Used case study and survey of nine adolescent runaways from residential setting to explore hypotheses. Found majority ran away from…

Tested 149 adolescent residents of county center for juvenile status offenders. Data analysis revealed eight variables discriminating between first-time and recidivist runaways. Variables characterized recidivist runaway as urban Caucasian having previous contact with agency; staying at center average of 13.6 days; and having lower general…

This paper examined the extent of physical and sexual abuse among runaway youths (N=291) and the association of that abuse with behavior, mental health, life events, and parental mental health. Almost half the youths reported a history of abuse, and the simple existence of abuse impacted on self-esteem and overall behavior problems regardless of…

Compared homeless and nonhomeless youths who sought help at runaway shelters in eight states. Both groups reported range of personal, family, and school problems, but problems of homeless group were more chronic than those of nonhomeless group. Most homeless youths lacked stable, supportive family to which they could return. (Author/NB)

Developed Needs of Adolescent Runaways to assess needs of runaway adolescents housed in runaway shelter. Findings from 76 adolescent runaways revealed that greatest needs were concerned with living arrangements, family relationships, and communication with parents. Respondents perceived information about sex, drugs, and alcohol as least important.…

Utilizes a family therapy approach to restructure family relationships in order to prevent further runaway behavior of a 15-year-old Mexican-American female. The approach involves a family interview, genogram, and family therapy. The Family Satisfaction Scale was administered to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. (Author/MKA)

Explores stress and depression levels in Canadian street youth and ways in which they cope. Results show that street youth (n=27) reported more stress and depression than non-runaways (n=27). Street youth were more likely to engage in acts of self-harm and to use drugs and alcohol, while non-runaways used more productive problem solving and…

Study considers variables that distinguish between attempters, ideators, and nonsuicidal youth in a sample of homeless and runaway adolescents. Analyses reveal five variables that best distinguish among the three groups: self-esteem, depression, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and having a friend who attempted suicide. Suggests that accumulation of…

Recent research on the social support networks of homeless and runaway youth suggest the social networks of runaway youth are made up largely of transient deviant peer relationships. This paper examined social network characteristics of 428 homeless and runaway adolescents from small-to moderate-sized cities in four Midwestern states. We…

This study examines the effects of childhood-onset conduct disorder on later antisocial behavior and street victimization among a group of homeless and runaway adolescents. Four hundred twenty-eight homeless and runaway youth were interviewed directly on the streets and in shelters from four Midwestern states. Key findings include the following.…

In a national poll conducted in 1988, 83 percent of the American people felt that the nation's drug problem was "out of control." In 1988, Congress, responding to the public mandate, passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. Title III of the Act specifically addressed these issues by authorizing two anti-drug programs for youth. These two…

This paper describes research on the perceptions of 60 teenage runaways and 50 nonrunaways (controls) re conflicts with parents conducted at The Ohio State University during 1972-73. Findings suggested the need for parents to "listen" during confrontations with teenagers. (Author)

Describes problem of runaway adolescents including numbers, who they are, how long they are gone, what happens to them, and why they run. Describes what school counselors can do to help: act as an academic lifeline, use peer listeners, develop support groups, and use personal referral to obtain needed services for these youth. (ABL)

Although status offenders (young people defined as incorrigible, runaways, or truants) have often been abused previously, their placement in hospital psychiatric wards constitutes further abuse. Insecure, insufficiently trained hospital staffers are one of the major problems that perpetuates the cycle of provocation and punishment in…