Why do homeless young people leave home?

Abstract

Objective: To describe the reasons homeless young people leave home and differences between males and females. Methods: Homeless young people between the ages of 12 and 20 years (n=692) completed surveys conducted by trained interviewers using Questionnaire Delivery System on laptop computers as part of a large study. Participants indicated the importance of each of 22 reasons for leaving home on a four-point scale, from 'not important' (1) to 'very important' (4). Results: Conflict with parents was the only reason reported as important by at least two-thirds of respondents. Desire for independence and/or adventure was rated as important by nearly one-half of young men and women. Eighteen re..