Adolescent Connectedness with Parents Promotes Resilience among Homeless Youth

Youth who experience homelessness have worse health and well-being than housed youth. Internal assets, including social competency and positive self-identity, are factors that promote healthy development. This study compared internal assets between homeless and housed youth, and examined whether con...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kristen M. Aggerbeck Kessler, Debanjana Chatterjee, Rebecca Shlafer, Andrew J. Barnes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-07-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/5/7/96
Description
Summary:Youth who experience homelessness have worse health and well-being than housed youth. Internal assets, including social competency and positive self-identity, are factors that promote healthy development. This study compared internal assets between homeless and housed youth, and examined whether connectedness with parents moderates the association between homelessness and internal assets. Using data from a large population-based survey of middle- and high-school aged youth, we found that homelessness was associated with lower levels of internal assets. However, having high connectedness with a parent significantly predicted the strength of these assets, suggesting opportunities to promote health equity among homeless youth.
ISSN:2227-9067