Improving youth mental health symptoms through family-based prevention in homeless shelters

Background: This study examines the relationship between suicidal ideation, substance use and family processes among a sample of young homeless adolescents and their families participating in the HOPE (HIV Outreach for Parents and Early Adolescents) Program which contrasts two shelter-based prevention strategies (HOPE Health and HOPE Family). Methods: Sample included 204 youth (11-14 years of age) and their caregivers. Both single predictor and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the relationship between youth and family processes and suicidal ideation. Results: In comparison to youth who reported no substance use, youth who reported using at least one substance were more likely to report no changes in suicidal ideation (OR=.09; 1/.09=11.11; 95% CI = .01-.95). Youth in the HOPE Family Program were more likely to report reductions in suicidal ideation from baseline to post-test (OR=13.57; 95% CI = 1.06-173.79). Interestingly, parent reports of positive changes in within family support from baseline to post-test were associated with a greater likelihood (OR=.21; 95% CI=.04-1.14) of youth reporting no changes in suicidal ideation. Conclusion: This study indicated the need to address suicidal ideation among homeless youth. Prevention and intervention programming that address multiple components of adolescent health may provide maximum benefit to well being. These findings reveal the need to consider the family unit in these efforts. Acknowledgments: HOPE is supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse (RO1 DA018574). We would also like to acknowledge the members of the Community Collaborative Board for their tireless dedication and effort to the project.