Depressive symptoms and co-occurring depressive symptoms, substance abuse,and conduct problems among runaway and homeless adolescents

Citation
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
Citations number
66
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
ISSN journal
00093920 → ACNP
Volume
71
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
721 - 732
Database
ISI
SICI code
0009-3920(200005/06)71:3<721:DSACDS>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
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.