Family Functioning and Predictors of Runaway Behavior Among At-Risk Youth
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Family Functioning and Predictors of Runaway Behavior Among At-Risk Youth Stephanie Brooks Holliday1 • Maria Orlando Edelen2 • Joan S. Tucker1
Published online: 22 September 2016 Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016
Abstract Adolescent runaway behavior is associated with a host of negative outcomes in young adulthood. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that predict running away in youth. Longitudinal data from 111 at-risk families were used to identify proximal predictors of runaway behavior over a 12-week period. On average, youth were 14.96 years old, and 45 % were female. Ten percent of youth ran away during the 12-week follow-up period. In bivariate analyses, running away was predicted by poorer youth- and parent-rated family functioning, past runaway behavior, and other problem behaviors (e.g., substance use, delinquency), but not poorer perceived academic functioning. Results of a hierarchical logistic regression revealed a relationship between youth-rated family functioning and runaway behavior. However, this effect became non-significant after accounting for past runaway behavior and other problem behaviors, both of which remained significant predictors in the multivariable model. These findings suggest that youth who run away may be engaged in a more pervasive pattern of problematic behavior, and that screening and prevention programs need to address the cycle of adolescent defiant behavior associated with running away. Recommendations for clinical practice with this at-risk population are discussed.
An earlier version of this analysis was presented at the annual American Psychology-Law Society conference. & Stephanie Brooks Holliday [email protected] 1
RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, USA
2
RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza #920, Boston, MA, USA
Keywords Runaway Family relationships Delinquency Adolescent
Introduction Approximately 6–7 % of youth run away from home each year (Chen, Thrane, & Adams, 2012; Sanchez, Waller, & Greene, 2006)—a number that translates into more than 1.5 million children and adolescents (Hammar, Finkelhor, & Sedlak, 2002). Although most youth who run away are gone for less than a week and travel no further than 50 miles from home (Hammar et al., 2002), there is evidence that running away is associated with a number of negative psychosocial outcomes. Youth who run away have high rates of substance use, including marijuana and alcohol use (Chen, Tyler, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2004; Johnson, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2005; Stein, Milbrun, Zane, & Borus, 2009; Thompson, Zittel-Palamara, & Maccio, 2004). Mental health problems are prevalent, including depression (Thompson et al., 2004), trauma-related symptoms and disorders (Tyler, Cauce, & Whitbeck, 2004; Whitbeck, Hoyt, Johnson, & Chen, 2007), and self-harm behavior (Moskowitz, Stein, & Lightfoot, 2013). Suicidality is common as well, with estimated rates of suicidal ideation ranging from 31 to 54 % (Thompson, Maguin, & Pollio, 2003; Yoder, Hoyt, & Whitbeck, 1998), and rates of suicide a
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