Interpersonal trauma, PTSD, and runaway and homeless youth

From February to July 2007, research staff from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) recruited runaway and homeless youth to complete an hour-long computer assisted survey. Youth were eligible for the survey if they were homeless or at risk of being homeless and between the ages of 12 and 25. Youth were recruited from street locations where homeless youth are known to congregate, including drop-in centers, shelters, residential programs, and a health clinic. Surveys were completed with 396 youth. This survey included specific questions to identify interpersonal traumatic experiences (child physical and sexual abuse, partner violence, and other violence) and mental health indicators including PTSD, depression, and hopelessness. This presentation will describe the findings of this survey in regards to the interpersonal violence experiences of runaway and homeless youth and associations with trauma symptoms and other mental health indicators. Preliminary findings include: 51% of the youth reported child physical abuse; 23% reported child sexual abuse by a parent; and 28% reported child sexual abuse by a non-parent. In addition to child abuse, 10% reported physical abuse by a partner and 11% reported forced sex by a partner. Almost three-quarters of youth reported some type of interpersonal violence. Seventeen percent of the youth were in the clinical range for PTSD. In addition to data, the presenter will share how the Community Trauma Treatment Center for Runaway and Homeless Youth is using this data to improve trauma services for homeless youth in Hollywood.