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J Youth Adolescence (2012) 41:544560 DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9681-3
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
Homelessness Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: Implications for Subsequent Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms
Margaret Rosario Eric W. Schrimshaw
Joyce Hunter
Received: 15 February 2011 / Accepted: 25 May 2011 / Published online: 7 June 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011
Abstract Although lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth with a history of homelessness (running away or being evicted from their homes by parents) report more psychological symptoms than homeless heterosexual peers, it is unclear whether symptoms are due to homelessness, given the absence of a non-homeless comparison group. This study longitudinally investigates whether LGB youth with a history of homelessness report more subsequent psychological symptoms than non-homeless LGB youth and examines potential mediators of any such relationships. Of the 156 LGB youth interviewed (49% female; 78% non-White), 48% reported past homeless experiences. Homelessness was associated with subsequent symptoms of anxiety, depression, conduct problems, and substance abuse and to changes in symptoms over time even after controlling for childhood sexual abuse and early development of sexual orientation. Stressful life events, negative social relationships, and social support from friends mediated the relationships between homelessness and symptomatology. These ndings suggest the need for interventions to reduce stress and enhance social support
among LGB youth with a history of homelessness in order to reduce psychological symptoms.
Keywords Psychological distress Runaway
Adolescence Youth Sexual minority Homosexual
Homelessness among young people is a major public health concern that includes runaways and youth evicted from their homes by parents (i.e., throwaways). National estimates suggest that over a million youth (5%) experience homelessness annually (Ringwalt et al. 1998), with approximately 13,000 youth experiencing homelessness in the past year in New York City alone (Freeman and Hamilton 2008). At particular risk for homelessness are lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth (Coker et al. 2010; Dunne et al. 2002; Gattis 2009; Zerger et al. 2008). Studies have found that LGB youth compose 1536% of homeless youth (Bailey et al. 1998; Fournier et al. 2009; Freeman and Hamilton 2008; Gangamma et al. 2008; Leslie et al. 2002; Moon et al. 2000; Noell and Ochs 2001; Rew et al. 2005; Van Leeuwen et al. 2006; Whitbeck et al. 2004), although LGB youth compose only 1.33.8% of the...