Resilience and Support Networks of Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Each year, almost 3.5 million young adults experience homelessness in the United States. Prior research found support networks enhance resilience and mental health in the general population of youth, but little is known about the support networks of youth experiencing homelessness (YEH). Support networks may play a moderating role in adverse outcomes for these youth. This current analysis assessed the relationship between resilience and support member characteristics among YEH.

Using baseline data from a housing intervention (N = 240) for YEH, we evaluated how support network characteristics were associated with resilience. Network characteristics included member type, contact frequency, quality of help, risk behaviors, and network size. Network differences by resilience were assessed. Ordered probit models were used to determine member characteristics associated with higher reported quality of help.

Overall, 17% of youth (n = 239) were categorized as highly resilient, whereas 56% and 27% fell within normal or low resilience, respectively. Youth with lower resilience reported less frequent contact with parents, other family, and friends than youth with higher resilience (p < .05). Youth were predicted to be 20% less likely to report higher relief when seeking help from support members who abused alcohol compared to members who did not use alcohol (p = .001).

YEH with lower resilience reported less frequent contact with support network members and lower relief after going to them for help compared to youth with higher resilience. Understanding how support relationships and resilience are interrelated will be important when working to strengthen protective factors among this population.