ERIC Number: ED553667
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 47
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
An Exploratory Study of the Relationship between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Youth Homelessness
Harding, Blake
Online Submission, B.A. Thesis, University of California, Berkeley
A 1997 study by Lomas and Garside suggests a 62% prevalence rate of ADHD [Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] amongst homeless, which prompts a need for further elucidation of this relationship. This study sought to examine the relationship between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the homeless youth population aged 18-24. The overall focus was to investigate the prevalence rate of ADHD in homeless youth 18-24 and to examine the relationship between ADHD diagnosis (utilizing WURS [Wender Utah Rating Scale] and ASRSv1.1 [Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale]) and relational variables. A structured survey instrument was developed to collect interview data on demographics, employment status, substance abuse and housing instability variables. Twenty-four homeless youths (n = 24, 20 males, 4 females; age range, 18-24, mean age = 21.71 years) were randomly approached (n = 85 approached) and verbally screened for study inclusion based upon reported age between 18 to 24 years. Participants were administered the ASRS-v1.1 and WURS dichotomous response structured survey instruments to determine ADHD diagnosis. Study data suggests a higher prevalence of ADHD in ages 18-21 (WURS 75%; ASRS-v1.1 88%) than ages 22-24 (WURS 56%; ASRS-v1.1 88%). Data suggests a marginally higher rate of ADHD diagnosis in males (ASRS-v1.1 95%; WURS 75%) than females (ASRS-v1.1 75%; WURS 75%). Participants in the 18-21-age cohort experienced an average of 68 days of housing instability while participants in the 22-24-age cohort experienced a proportionally higher average of 278 days of housing instability. Both age cohorts (18-21 and 22-24) suggested a 100% rate of unemployment and substance abuse. Data suggests a higher prevalence of ADHD in homeless youth aged 18-21 (WURS 75%; ASRS-v1.1 88%) that were newly homeless (avg. days experienced housing instability, 68), which may suggest that ADHD symptomatology could be a vulnerability factor influencing youth homelessness. The following are appended: (1) Structured Interview; (2) Consent Form; (3) Survey Instrument ASRS-v1.1: Sample Questions; (4) Survey Instrument WURS: Sample Questions; and (5) Recruitment/Interview Protocols.
Descriptors: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Correlation, Homeless People, Late Adolescents, Young Adults, Incidence, Surveys, Interviews, Demography, Employment Level, Substance Abuse, Housing, Age Differences, Unemployment, At Risk Persons, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Rating Scales, Etiology, Clinical Diagnosis
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires; Dissertations/Theses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A