Longitudinal Associations Between Early-Mid Adolescent Risk and Protective Factors and Young Adult Homelessness in Australia and the United States

Predictors of Housing Trajectories Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles

Experiencing homelessness during young adulthood is associated with negative health outcomes and understanding housing trajectories of young adults experiencing homelessness may aid in the development of evidence-based public health programs designed to serve this at-risk age group. In the present study, the authors examined baseline predictors of 24-month trajectories of housing stability and unsheltered housing among a sample of 271 young adults aged 18 to 25 recruited from drop-in centers in Los Angeles. In multivariate models, the authors found that identifying as multi-racial/other and better friendship quality at baseline were associated with less steep increases in the likelihood of stable housing over time. Being employed at baseline was associated with a less steep decrease in the probability of being unsheltered over time, while illicit drug use days associated with a steeper decrease in the probability of being unsheltered over time. Continued research is needed to establish important factors determining young adults' long-term housing trajectories in the effort to promote greater access and engagement with housing services.

Adolescent Predictors of Deliberate Self-Harm Thoughts and Behavior Among Young Adults: A Longitudinal Cross-National Study

PURPOSE

This study builds upon and extends previous longitudinal research on deliberate self-harm (DSH) among youth by investigating which risk and protective factors during adolescence predict DSH thoughts and behavior in young adulthood.

METHODS

Self-report data came from 1,945 participants recruited as state-representative cohorts from Washington State and Victoria, Australia. Participants completed surveys in seventh grade (average age 13 years), as they transitioned through eighth and ninth grades and online at age 25 years. Retention of the original sample at age 25 years was 88%. A range of risk and protective factors in adolescence for DSH thoughts and behavior in young adulthood were examined using multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Across the sample, 9.55% (n = 162) and 2.83% (n = 48) of young adult participants reported DSH thoughts and behaviors, respectively. In the combined risk-protective factor multivariable model for young adulthood DSH thoughts, depressive symptoms in adolescence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.05; confidence interval [CI] = 1.00-1.09) increased risk, while higher levels of adolescent adaptive coping strategies (AOR = 0.46; CI = 0.28-0.74), higher levels of adolescent community rewards for prosocial behavior (AOR = 0.73; CI = 0.57-0.93), and living in Washington State decreased risk. In the final multivariable model for DSH behavior in young adulthood, less positive family management strategies during adolescence remained the only significant predictor (AOR = 1.90; CI = 1.01-3.60).

DISCUSSION

DSH prevention and intervention programs should not only focus on managing depression and building/enhancing family connections and support but also promote resilience through efforts to promote adaptive coping and connections to adults within one's community who recognize and reward prosocial behavior.

Program logic of a mental health outreach service for socially anxious youth

Youth mental health is a major concern both in Australia and internationally. Identifying at-risk young people is a core service priority. This report describes a "Youth Social Inclusion Program" developed in Australia to assist young people identified as having social difficulties that prevent them linking into formal mental health services. This report describes the Australian service context and uses the "program explication" methodology to document: the program activities, therapeutic processes, and underpinning evidence for the benefits of this service. Program explication is a consulting method designed to assist services to identify and review implicit program logic assumptions against evaluation literature. We demonstrate the application of this method in exploring the assumptions and evidence for the Youth Social Inclusion Program, targeting outreach to socially anxious young people in Australia. The Youth Social Inclusion Program involved seven logically consistent activities. Our literature search revealed moderate evidence for the expected benefits of the activities. This practice-based design drew on several theoretical perspectives. Given that the program logic has been established, we outline a proposal for further evaluation.

Health of Young Adults Experiencing Social Marginalization and Vulnerability: A Cross-National Longitudinal Study

People who experience social marginalization and vulnerability have uniquely complex health needs and are at risk of poor health outcomes. Regression analyses using longitudinal data from a cross-national, population-based sample of young adults participating in the International Youth Development Study, tested associations between social marginalization and vulnerabilities and physical health, mental health, and substance use outcomes. Participants from Victoria, Australia, and Washington State in the US were surveyed at ages 25 (2014) and 29 years (2018; N = 1944; 46.7% male). A history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), LGBT identity, financial insecurity, and justice system involvement at age 25 predicted poor health outcomes at age 28, including lower perceived health status, risk for chronic illness, depression and anxiety symptoms, and diagnosed mental health/substance use disorders. Tests of model equivalence across states showed that a history of ACEs was more strongly related to health status and serious injury at age 28 and justice system involvement at age 25 was more strongly related to age 28 serious injury in Victoria than in Washington State. Findings strengthen the case for future population-based research identifying life-course interventions and state policies for reducing poor health and improving health equity among members of socially marginalized groups.

Young Adult Development Indicators for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous People: A Cross-National Longitudinal Study

Worldwide, Indigenous youth face ongoing challenges and inequalities. Increasing our understanding of life course patterns in Indigenous youth will assist the design of strategies and interventions that encourage positive development. This study aimed to increase understanding of resilience and positive development in Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth across Australia and the United States of America. The Australian sample comprised 9680 non-Indigenous and 176 Pacific Islander and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The USA sample comprised 2258 non-Indigenous and 220 Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian and Native American/American Indian peoples. Data were used to examine how Indigenous background, volunteering, and community involvement at average age 15 years (Grade 9) predicted five young adult positive development indicators: Year 12 (Grade 12) school completion, tertiary education participation, independent income, paid employment, and intimate relationship formation from age 18 to 28 years. Multilevel regression analyses revealed that while Indigenous youth showed slower increases in positive young adult development over time, when adjusting for socioeconomic disadvantage, there was a reduction in this difference. Moreover, we found that Grade 9 community involvement and volunteering were positively associated with young adult development for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Findings indicate the importance of addressing structural inequalities and increasing adolescent opportunities as feasible strategies to improve positive outcomes for young Indigenous adults.

A population-based study of homelessness, antisocial behaviour and violence victimisation among young adults in Victoria, Australia

Homeless young adults are at increased risk for contact with the police and are overrepresented in the justice system. This study explored associations between homelessness, antisocial behaviour and violence victimisation using longitudinal panel data gathered through young adulthood. Data were drawn from a state representative population-based sample of young adults from Victoria, Australia participating in the International Youth Development Study (IYDS; n = 2884, 54% female). Participants were surveyed at age 21 years, with follow-up at ages 23 and 25 years. We examined changes in the prevalence of homelessness and tested hypothesised directional relationships between young adult homelessness, antisocial behaviour and violence victimisation using longitudinal cross-lagged panel models. Multiple-group modelling was used to test whether these relationships were moderated by gender. The prevalence of young adult homelessness was highest at age 21 (6.5%), declining at ages 23 (3.9%) and 25 years (2.5%). Results showed that young adult homelessness, antisocial behaviour and victimisation were related cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally. Gender did not significantly moderate these associations. Findings suggest that the state of homelessness is associated with temporary vulnerability to potentially harmful and problematic situations involving antisocial behaviour and victimisation. These situations are likely to heighten risk for contact with the police and direct physical and psychological harm.

Late Adolescent Predictors of Homelessness and Food Insecurity During Emerging Adulthood

PURPOSE

Economic instability is a significant and growing problem among emerging adults in the U.S. This study identifies adolescent factors across multiple levels of influence that predict homelessness and food insecurity 5 years later.

METHODS

The analytic sample (n = 2,110) completed a survey in 2015-2016 (mean age 17) that assessed a range of demographic, behavioral health, family, peer, academic, and neighborhood factors, and a follow-up survey in 2019-2020 (mean age 23) that assessed past-year homelessness and food insecurity. Logistic regression analyses were conducted for the full sample, and by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

At follow-up, 7.5% of participants reported homelessness, and 29.3% reported food insecurity. Multivariate analyses indicated that only adverse childhood experiences and weaker academic orientation predicted both outcomes. Future homelessness was additionally predicted by greater exposure to substance using peers during adolescence. Identifying as Hispanic, lower maternal education, and greater neighborhood disorganization were risk factors for future food insecurity, and living with both biological parents and better mental health were protective factors. Race/ethnicity stratified models showed variations in multilevel predictors of both outcomes, except for adverse childhood experiences, which were significant across all subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse childhood experiences and weaker academic orientation emerged as the most robust predictors of economic instability in emerging adulthood. However, a range of other modifiable multilevel predictors in adolescence were identified that were unique to homelessness or food insecurity and that varied by race/ethnicity. Results suggest the need for multilevel approaches early in life to reduce risk of economic instability during emerging adulthood.

Adolescent Antecedents of Young Adult Homelessness: a Cross-national Path Analysis

Adolescent and young adult health, development, and behavior lay a foundation for future population health. Increasing rates of young adult homelessness mean there is a need for research which generates evidence to support a stronger focus on population-level prevention. Using longitudinal data from a population-based sample of young adults participating in the cross-nationally matched International Youth Development Study, we examined adolescent antecedents of young adult homelessness in Washington State in the USA and in Victoria, Australia. Participants were surveyed using a modified version of the Communities That Care youth survey. Analyses of prospective, longitudinal data from 1945 participants, recruited as state-representative secondary school samples at grade 7 (average age 13, 2002) and longitudinally compared at young adulthood (average age 25, 2014), showed that young adults in Washington State reported higher rates of past year homelessness (5.24%) compared to those in Victoria (3.25%). Path modeling showed less positive family management strategies at age 13 uniquely increased risk for age 25 homelessness. This effect remained after accounting for age 15 antecedents in peer-group, school, and community environments. Friends' drug use, school suspension, academic failure, and low neighborhood attachment at age 15 mediated the association between less positive family management strategies at age 13 and age 25 homelessness. Despite observing some cross-national differences in levels of family, peer-group, school, and community antecedents, we found that these factors equally increased risk for age 25 homelessness in both states, suggesting similar cross-national influences for young adult homelessness. The findings indicate cross-nationally common adolescent antecedents for young adult homelessness that could be targeted by prevention strategies across international settings.

Life-course predictors of homelessness from adolescence into adulthood: A population-based cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Internationally, the prevalence of young adult homelessness is concerning. Few data on life-course predictors from longitudinal studies exist, limiting our capacity to inform prevention strategies at the population-level.

METHODS

Data were drawn from a state representative population-based sample of young adults from Victoria, Australia participating in the International Youth Development Study (IYDS; N = 927, 54% female). Participants were recruited in state-representative secondary school samples at Grade 7 (age 13, 2002), with follow-up in Grades 9 (age 15) and 11 (age 17) and at ages 21, 23 and 25. Using longitudinal path modelling, we conducted a series of analyses testing life-course predictors of young adult homelessness across multiple socializing contexts, and the interrelationships among them.

RESULTS

The rate of young adult homelessness was 5.5%. Path modelling showed higher levels of family conflict at ages 13 and 15 uniquely predicted homelessness by age 25. This effect remained after accounting for other risk factors in peer-group (e.g., interactions with antisocial peers), school (e.g., low academic performance), and community contexts (e.g., low neighborhood attachment). Peer drug use and interaction with antisocial peers at age 15 mediated the association between family conflict at age 13 and homelessness by age 25.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings point to the vulnerability of early adolescents to family conflict. This vulnerability heightens risk for young adult homelessness. Findings strengthen the case for both primary prevention programs that build healthy relationships between family members from early on in adolescence and for investment in homelessness prevention at key developmental periods.

Prevalence of homelessness and co-occurring problems: A comparison of young adults in Victoria, Australia and Washington State, United States

Homelessness is associated with various co-occurring health and social problems yet; few contemporary international studies have examined these problems in young adulthood. This descriptive study presents cross-state comparison of the prevalence of young adult homelessness in Washington State, USA and Victoria, Australia using state representative samples from the International Youth Development Study (IYDS; n = 1,945, 53% female). Associations between young adult homelessness and a range of co-occurring problems were examined using a modified version of the Communities That Care youth survey. Results showed significantly higher rates of past year homelessness were reported by young adults in Washington State (5.24% vs. 3.25% in Victoria). Cross-state differences were evident in levels of friends' drug use, antisocial behavior, weekly income and support from peers. Unemployment (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.67), antisocial behavior (AOR = 3.54) and victimization (AOR = 3.37) were more likely among young adults reporting homelessness in both states. Young adults with higher weekly income were less likely to report homelessness (AOR = .69) in both states. No significant association between mental health problem symptoms, substance use, family conflict or interaction with antisocial peers and homelessness were found in either state. Rates of violent behavior were more strongly related to young adult homelessness in Washington State than Victoria. The current findings suggest that programs that enable young adults to pursue income and employment, reduce antisocial behavior and include services for those who have been victimized, may help to mitigate harm among young adults experiencing homelessness.