Predictors of close family relationships over one year among homeless young people☆

Abstract

AbstractPredictors of perceived family bonds were examined among homeless young people who initially left home one year earlier. Newly homeless young people aged 12–20 years who had recently left home were recruited in Los Angeles County, United States () and Melbourne, Australia () and followed longitudinally at 3, 6, and 12 months (follow‐up rates ranging from 72% to 86% overall). These homeless young people varied substantially in their bonds to their families. Family bonds at one year were predicted in multivariate regression analyses by having significantly fewer problem behaviours when leaving home and decreasing rates of problem behaviours over the next year. Having more emotional sup..