A comparison of homeless and matched housed adolescents on family environment variables

This study compared the family environments of a probability sample of 118 homeless adolescents (ages 12-17) residing in shelters to a matched compari son group of 118 housed adolescents using a variety of self-report measures . Even after controlling for potential effects of behavioral disorders (opp ositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and c onduct disorder) and alcohol dependence or abuse, homeless adolescents were found to have experienced significantly more parental maltreatment and wer e scolded by their parents more often than housed adolescents. The homeless youths reported feelings of less parental love and less cohesion within th eir families. They reported significantly more parent-to-adolescent and ado lescent-to-parent verbal and physical aggression, and more family conflict in general. Implications of these results are discussed, including the pote ntial for child effects.