Risk behaviors of runaway youth who return home (S/A)

Objective: Research shows higher rates of substance use, including tobacco, and other risk behaviors among runaway youth; however, most studies involve chronic runaways in shelters or on the streets. Since the majority of runaways ultimately return home, the current study investigates risk behaviors among this population. Methods: Data are from a telephone survey of a random sample of youth from 8 states (CT, IL, ME, MD, NV, NY, NC & VA), age 16-20 years (n=1,191). A multivariate model was created using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach. Results: Seventy-three (6%) of the youth had run away in their lifetime. More than half (60.3%) of those had runaway by the age of 15, and 49% had run away 2 or more times. A history of running away was significantly associated with every risk behavior examined. The adjusted odds ratios for runaway status were higher for all behaviors (alcohol use, binge drinking, illegal prescription drug use, tobacco use, and sex without birth control) compared to non-runaways. Conclusions: Despite the fact that most runaway adolescents return home, the reasons for having run away are not necessarily eliminated and, as evidenced here, there remain dramatically increased odds of substance use and other risk behaviors. Because of the known and potential deleterious health effects of substance use and risky sexual behavior, policies and interventions should target root causes of running away among adolescents to help alleviate poor health and social outcomes.