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

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.