NCJ Number
119535
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 417-426
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the physical and sexual abuse of runaways and associates that abuse to resulting behavior, mental health, life events, and parental mental health.
Abstract
Of the 291 runaways who sought refuse in shelters, almost half had a history of physical or sexual abuse. These results demonstrate the need for these youths and their families to obtain mental health services. One in five nonabused youths and one in three abused youths endorsed parental descriptions which reflect antisocial personalities and/or drug problems. In addition, abused runaways exhibited clinically significant behavior problems. Analyses indicate that the existence of physical or sexual abuse impacts on self-esteem and overall behavior problems regardless of other family problems. 39 references, 7 tables. (Author abstract modified)