Social Support Networks and the Mental Health of Runaway and Homeless Youth

Eric R. Wright, Brandon K. Attell and Erin Ruel
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Eric R. Wright: Department of Sociology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5020, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Brandon K. Attell: Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3992, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Erin Ruel: Department of Sociology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5020, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA

Social Sciences, 2017, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: In response to growing concerns about the rising number of runaway and homeless youth (RHY) in the U.S., researchers have sought to improve the scientific understanding of health and mental health needs, as well as the social resources available to these youths. In this paper, we examine the relationship between personal support network resources and the mental health status of a sample of RHY (N = 693) surveyed in metro-Atlanta, Georgia. The results suggest that having more supportive network ties reduces the risk of youth experiencing significant symptoms of a severe mental illness. We also find that older youth and youth who have been homeless for six months or longer have fewer personal support network resources. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our findings for future research and services for this exceptionally vulnerable population.

Keywords: runaway and homeless youth; homelessness; personal networks; social support; mental health; severe mental illness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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