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Age differences among homeless individuals: adolescence through adulthood
Carolyn J Tompsett1, Patrick J Fowler, Paul A Toro
1Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community
|April 14, 2009
Summary
Homeless adolescents show greater resilience than young and older adults, reporting fewer stressors and mental health issues. This highlights key differences in the homeless population across age groups.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Homelessness affects diverse age groups, including adolescents, young adults, and older adults.
- Understanding age-specific differences is crucial for effective service provision and policy development for homeless populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the experiences and characteristics of homeless adolescents, young adults, and older adults.
- To identify age-related disparities in homelessness to inform targeted interventions and support services.
Main Methods:
- Pooled data from four distinct homeless studies utilizing consistent sampling and measurement techniques.
- Comparative analysis across three age groups: adolescents, young adults, and older adults.
Main Results:
- Homeless adolescents exhibited superior resilience compared to younger and older adults.
- Adolescents reported shorter homelessness duration, fewer life stressors, minimal physical symptoms, extensive social networks, and fewer mental health problems.
- Adolescents received fewer diagnoses for alcohol and drug abuse relative to other age groups.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents experiencing homelessness demonstrate unique strengths and fewer challenges than older counterparts.
- Younger adults face more life stressors and psychological symptoms than older adults.
- Findings underscore the need for age-tailored services and policies to address the varied needs within the homeless population.
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