16.7 Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in the Homeless Youth Population: Inpatient Sample Analysis

AbstractThis commentary explores the reproductive strategies and attachment patterns among homeless youths. Del Giudice's integrated evolutionary model is applied to a homeless youth population that must function in ecological settings of constant high risk and stress. Different reproductive needs result in different patterns of high-risk behaviors. Intervention considering the sex differences, life history, and early caregiver–child relationships is suggested.

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"Hey Faggot" Understanding that the Current Homeless System Planning Policy, and Land Use Planning Tools is not Designed to Address the Socialized and Institutionalized Disregard for the LGBTQ Homeless Youth Population

10.32920/ryerson.14656020 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

James Bar

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Urban Planning ◽

Land Use Planning ◽

Homeless Youth ◽

Service Providers ◽

Current System ◽

Skills Training ◽

Survival Sex ◽

Planning Tools ◽

Youth Population

Making up a disproportionate amount of the homeless youth population, LGBTQ homeless youth face a myriad of problems from increased depression and anxiety, emotional and belonging issues; higher rates of suicide, drug and alcohol abuse; and higher rates of STI and heath problems associated with increased rates of survival sex. The findings, derived from a literature review, a review of current policies and land use planning tools in Toronto, interviews with two frontline homeless service providers and two policy workers, have brought to light areas where the profession of urban planning can contribute to reform the current system of shelter and support facilities. Through language and skills training, provincial and municipal policy on housing and homelessness, land use planning tools of zoning by-‐laws and public consultations and the siting of facilities, and political backing, urban planning can help to aid in the provision of services for LGBTQ homeless youth.

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Psychiatric Disorders and Substance Use in Homeless Youth: A Preliminary Comparison of San Francisco and Chicago

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs2030186 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 186-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ernika G. Quimby ◽

Jennifer P. Edidin ◽

Zoe Ganim ◽

Erika Gustafson ◽

Scott J. Hunter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

San Francisco ◽

Homeless Youth ◽

Preliminary Comparison

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Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Psychiatric Disorders Among Homeless Youth in Australia: A Comparative Review

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00910.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 352-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Gregory W. Kamieniecki

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Suicidal Behaviour ◽

Homeless Youth ◽

Community Surveys ◽

Control Groups ◽

Youth Homelessness ◽

Standardized Measures ◽

Comparative Review ◽

Australian Community

Objective: To review the prevalence literature on psychological distress and psychiatric disorders among homeless youth in Australia, and to compare these rates with Australian youth as a whole. Method: Computerized databases were utilized to access all published Australian studies on psychological distress (as measured by standardized symptom scales and suicidal behaviour) and psychiatric disorders among homeless youth; in addition, unpublished Australian studies were utilized whenever accessible. A total of 14 separate studies were located, only three of which have included non-homeless control groups. In the current review, prevalence data from uncontrolled youth homelessness studies are compared with data from Australian community and student surveys. Results: Homeless youth have usually scored significantly higher on standardized measures of psychological distress than all domiciled control groups. Youth homelessness studies have also reported very high rates of suicidal behaviour, but methodological limitations in these studies make comparisons with community surveys difficult. Furthermore, rates of various psychiatric disorders are usually at least twice as high among homeless youth than among youth from community surveys. Conclusions: Homeless youth in Australia have extremely high rates of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders. As homeless youth are at risk of developing psychiatric disorders and possibly self-injurious behaviour the longer they are homeless, early intervention in relevant health facilities is required.

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Preventing, Reducing and Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness: The Need for Targeted Strategies

Social Inclusion ◽

10.17645/si.v4i4.669 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 86-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Alex Abramovich

Keyword(s):

Homeless Youth ◽

Health Concern ◽

Youth Homelessness ◽

Contextual Understanding ◽

The Social ◽

Critical Action ◽

Youth Population ◽

The Government ◽

Critical Action Research

Gender non-conforming and sexual minority youth are overrepresented in the homeless youth population and are frequently discriminated against in shelters and youth serving organizations. This paper provides a contextual understanding of the ways that institutional and governmental policies and standards often perpetuate the social exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2-Spirit (LGBTQ2S) youth, by further oppression and marginalization. Factors, including institutional erasure, homophobic and transphobic violence, and discrimination that is rarely dealt with, addressed, or even noticed by shelter workers, make it especially difficult for LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness to access support services, resulting in a situation where they feel safer on the streets than in shelters and housing programs. This paper draws on data from a qualitative Critical Action Research study that investigated the experiences of a group of LGBTQ2S homeless youth and the perspectives of staff in shelters through one-on-one interviews in Toronto, Canada. One of the main recommendations of the study included the need for governmental policy to address LGBTQ2S youth homelessness. A case study is shared to illustrate how the Government of Alberta has put this recommendation into practice by prioritizing LGBTQ2S youth homelessness in their provincial plan to end youth homelessness. The case study draws on informal and formal data, including group activities, questions, and surveys that were collected during a symposium on LGBTQ2S youth homelessness. This paper provides an overview of a current political, social justice, and public health concern, and contributes knowledge to an under researched field of study by highlighting concrete ways to prevent, reduce, and end LGBTQ2S youth homelessness.

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No Safe Place to Go - LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in Canada: Reviewing the Literature

Canadian Journal of Family and Youth / Le Journal Canadien de Famille et de la Jeunesse ◽

10.29173/cjfy16579 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 29-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Ilona Alex Abramovich

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Support Services ◽

Homeless Youth ◽

Service Providers ◽

Lgbtq Youth ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Youth Homelessness ◽

Safe Place ◽

Youth Population

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth are overrepresented in the homeless youth population in North America. This review brings together the literature on the topic of LGBTQ youth homelessness and provides a comprehensive overview of the unique needs of this population, as well as gaps and barriers to support. The review culminates in recommendations for support services and further research on this topic. This review should be particularly useful for youth shelter and service providers, and policy makers to respond to the needs of this population and to enhance knowledge in this area more broadly.

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Health Issues in the Homeless Youth Population

Pediatric Annals ◽

10.3928/00904481-20120307-12 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 154-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Meera S. Beharry

Keyword(s):

Homeless Youth ◽

Health Issues ◽

Youth Population

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A Scoping Review Examining Interventions Intended to Help LGBTQIA+ Youth Transition Out of Homelessness

International Journal on Homelessness ◽

10.5206/ijoh.2022.1.14128 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-28

Author(s):

Sharon Gutman ◽

Pat Precin ◽

Marian LaForest

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Homeless Youth ◽

Client Satisfaction ◽

Service Providers ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Database Search ◽

Youth Transition ◽

Youth Population ◽

Health Need

Objective: Youth self-identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, asexual, and other identities (LGBTQIA+) are overrepresented among the homeless youth population in western countries. Although scholars have documented the situations and events contributing to disproportionately high rates of homelessness among LGBTQIA+ youth compared to cisgender peers, researchers have not as thoroughly examined the efficacy of services available to this group to assist their transition from homelessness to stable residency. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the peer-reviewed literature to determine how many journal articles have been generated that addressed (a) the assessment of client satisfaction or (b) the effectiveness of intervention designed to help LGBTQIA+ homeless youth transition from homelessness to stable tenancy. Method: A database search of six peer-reviewed, health care publication indexes, with 50 key search terms was performed. The database search spanned publication years with no beginning year, but ended in January 2021. Results: Nineteen articles were identified that described programming, reported intervention outcomes, or outlined policies and recommendations intended to help LGBTQIA+ youth transition out of homelessness. Of the 19 studies, only five (26.31%) reported program evaluation (n=1, 5.26%), the assessment of intervention effectiveness (n=2, 10.52%), or an analysis of client satisfaction (n=2, 10.52%). Findings exemplify the dearth of scholarship and research examining this area of academic inquiry and public health need. Discussion: Without empirical research investigating service provision for the LGBTQIA+ homeless youth population, service providers have little data upon which to inform practice based on an understanding of the services that are needed and desired by this population to transition out of homelessness, the effectiveness and perceived satisfaction of those services, and whether services should be modified to better meet the needs of those for whom it was intended. Scholars and researchers are called upon to generate this needed public health research, which should include service recipient perspectives to target outcomes and interpret findings.

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"Hey Faggot" Understanding that the Current Homeless System Planning Policy, and Land Use Planning Tools is not Designed to Address the Socialized and Institutionalized Disregard for the LGBTQ Homeless Youth Population

10.32920/ryerson.14656020.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

James Bar

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Urban Planning ◽

Land Use Planning ◽

Homeless Youth ◽

Service Providers ◽

Current System ◽

Skills Training ◽

Survival Sex ◽

Planning Tools ◽

Youth Population

Making up a disproportionate amount of the homeless youth population, LGBTQ homeless youth face a myriad of problems from increased depression and anxiety, emotional and belonging issues; higher rates of suicide, drug and alcohol abuse; and higher rates of STI and heath problems associated with increased rates of survival sex. The findings, derived from a literature review, a review of current policies and land use planning tools in Toronto, interviews with two frontline homeless service providers and two policy workers, have brought to light areas where the profession of urban planning can contribute to reform the current system of shelter and support facilities. Through language and skills training, provincial and municipal policy on housing and homelessness, land use planning tools of zoning by-‐laws and public consultations and the siting of facilities, and political backing, urban planning can help to aid in the provision of services for LGBTQ homeless youth.

Download Full-text