Homelessness During the Transition From Foster Care to Adulthood

Bibliographic Data

ID11030593
AuthorsAmy Dworsky (0000-0001-6538-8550, Amy Dworsky is with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Laura Napolitano is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ. Mark Courtney is with the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago.), Laura Napolitano (0000-0002-8923-2988, Amy Dworsky is with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Laura Napolitano is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ. Mark Courtney is with the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago.), Mark Courtney (Amy Dworsky is with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Laura Napolitano is with the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ. Mark Courtney is with the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago.), Mark E Courtney (0000-0002-2880-388X, University of Chicago)
Year2013
Volume103
IssueS2
PagesS318-S323
Publication date2013-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2013.301455
PMID24148065
PMCIDPMC3969135
OpenAlexW2136666938
LanguageEN
Citations received136
References cited15

Objectives. We estimated the incidence of homelessness during the transition to adulthood and identified the risk and protective factors that predict homelessness during this transition. Methods. Using data from the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth, a longitudinal study of youths aging out of foster care in 3 Midwestern states, and a bounds approach, we estimated the cumulative percentage of youths who become homeless during the transition to adulthood. We also estimated a discrete time hazard model that predicted first reported episode of homelessness. Results. Youths aging out of foster care are at high risk for becoming homeless during the transition to adulthood. Between 31% and 46% of our study participants had been homeless at least once by age 26 years. Running away while in foster care, greater placement instability, being male, having a history of physical abuse, engaging in more delinquent behaviors, and having symptoms of a mental health disorder were associated with an increase in the relative risk of becoming homeless. Conclusions. Policy and practice changes are needed to reduce the risk that youths in foster care will become homeless after aging out

Foster care · Incidence (geometry) · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Psychiatry · Young adult · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child Welfare and Adoption · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology