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Predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms among runaway youth utilizing two service sectors
Author(s) -
Thompson Sanna J.,
Maccio Elaine M.,
Desselle Sherry K.,
ZittelPalamara Kimberly
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20229
Subject(s) - worry , psychology , distress , psychiatry , exploratory research , clinical psychology , emotional distress , injury prevention , posttraumatic stress , suicide prevention , poison control , medicine , anxiety , medical emergency , sociology , anthropology
Youth who run away often experience situations that produce symptoms of traumatic distress. This exploratory study assessed predictors of trauma symptomatology among runaway youth who had been admitted to youth emergency shelter services or juvenile detention. Findings demonstrated high levels of trauma‐related symptoms for both groups. Worry about family, greater runaway episodes, and living with a father who abused alcohol/drugs significantly predicted higher posttraumatic stress symptoms in detained youth, whereas only worry about family relationships predicted higher trauma symptom scores among youth in emergency shelter care. Findings suggest distressful family life may induce complex emotional responses in youth. Although services to runaway youth must continue to focus on safe, short‐term residential care, trauma issues must be acknowledged.