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Abstract #145579

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Maurice N. Gattis, MSW, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, Campus Box 1196, St Louis, MO 63130-4899, David Pollio, PhD, Washington University, Campus Box 1196, St Louis, MO 63130-4899, 3149357516, depollio@wustl.edu, and Sanna Thompson, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Texas, 1717 West 6th Street, Suite 335, Austin, TX 78703.

Introduction: Although considerable attention has been paid to runaway/homeless youth, research on outcomes of youth who are involved in federally-funded transitional living programs (TLPs) has been scant. Research suggests that sexual minority youth are overrepresented among homeless youth, and that these youth are at increased risk for negative outcomes relative to their heterosexual counterparts. This presentation uses a risk/protective conceptual model to examine the impact of sexual orientation on outcomes from TLPs. Methods: Youth participating in TLPs nationwide between 2002 and 2004 (N=1552) were interviewed upon entry and exit using the Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System. The dependent variable, outcome of service use (safe or appropriate exit/not; e.g., to homelessness), was modeled by sexual orientation (homosexual/heterosexual), gender, presence of mental health needs, and current substance use through logistic regression. Results: Thirty-eight percent of participants experienced safe and/or appropriate exit from TLPs. Seven percent of the sample identified themselves as a sexual minority. Sexual orientation did not significantly predict safe exit. Female gender, mental health needs and current substance abuse all decreased likelihood of safe exits. Discussion: Although findings affirm general service research that mental health and drug use are significant risk factors, they fail to support previous research in that sexual orientation did not contribute to risk of unsafe exits. The small proportion of youth self-identifying as sexual minority may represent the presence of unanticipated barriers to services for these youth, or alternatively may represent the presence of perceived stigma inhibiting accurate reporting.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify factors predicting positive outcomes from transitional living services for adolescents. 2)Describe the role of sexual orientation, independent of mental health needs, in service use and outcomes for adolescents.
• Discuss policy implications of the research for providing services to sexual minority youth.

Keywords: Service Delivery, Sexuality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout