EARLY ADOLESCENT STREET YOUTH - AN OVERLOOKED POPULATION WITH UNIQUE PROBLEMS AND SERVICE NEEDS

Despite the increasing knowledge about homeless and street youth in th e United States, little is known about the youngest segments of those populations, early adolescents (12 through 15 years;of age). Investiga ted in this study were the demographic and lifestyle characteristics o f 245 street youth in California. Measures included demographic charac teristics (e.g., gender; ethnicity sexual orientation), peer group ide ntification, history of homelessness, sources of shelter and money, an d perceived health status. Results revealed high rates of problem beha viors and health risks: 34% reported affiliation with gangs, and 40% r eported involvement in illegal activities such as prostitution, drug d ealing, mugging, or stealing. Early adolescent street youth differed f rom older street youth on several demographic and lifestyle measures. These data indicated that early adolescents are especially at risk for negative psychological and physical consequences of life on the stree ts. Further research is needed to understand the unique needs of this understudied population.