Factors Associated With Substance Use Disorders Among Traumatized Homeless Youth |
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| Authors: | Sanna J Thompson Kimberly Bender Kristin M Ferguson Yeonwoo Kim |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USASannaThompson@utexas.edu;3. School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA;4. Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, New York, New York, USA;5. School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study aimed to identify homeless youths’ lifestyle and trauma-related risk factors as well as protective factors associated with alcohol use disorder or no disorder and drug use disorder or no disorder. Youth receiving homeless services in Denver (n = 201), Austin (n = 200), and Los Angeles (n = 200; N = 601) completed quantitative interviews assessing demographic information, alcohol and drug use, homeless lifestyle risk factors, trauma-related risk factors, and protective factors. Findings showed differences in trauma-related risk factors between alcohol and drug use disorders, but not homeless lifestyle risks. Protective factors predicted substance use disorders beyond risk factors. Understanding trauma-related risk and protective factors associated with substance use disorders could improve interventions. |
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| Keywords: | homeless youth protective factors risk factors substance abuse trauma victimization |
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