Lb. Whitbeck et al., Depressive symptoms and co-occurring depressive symptoms, substance abuse,and conduct problems among runaway and homeless adolescents, CHILD DEV, 71(3), 2000, pp. 721-732
This study examines factors that contribute to depressive symptoms and to c
o-occurring depression, substance abuse, and conduct problems among 602 run
away and homeless adolescents. The respondents were interviewed in shelters
, drop-in centers, and directly on the streets in four Midwestern states (M
issouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas). Results indicate that although family
-of-origin factors contribute to depressive symptoms and comorbidity among
runaway and homeless adolescents, experiences and behaviors when the adoles
cents are on their own also have powerful effects. The authors discuss the
findings from a life-course perspective focusing: on mechanisms through whi
ch street experiences accentuate or amplify already high levels of psycholo
gical distress and behavioral problems among this population of young peopl
e.