Discusses children's fantasies about running away and describes children's books and films that address those feelings. Includes suggestions for creative activities for younger children and middle grade students, including puppets, plays, illustrated maps, and role playing. (LRW)

Using National Longitudinal Study Youth Survey data for 1,241 males and 1,143 females, runaway status in early adolescence--ages 14-15 years--was associated with subsequent--4 years later--substance abuse, alcohol problems, and school-dropout status. Gender and number of runaway episodes were considered. Repeat-runaways reported higher substance…

Examined female adolescent runaways. Found that girls who "run to" were younger, more impulsive, had internal locus of control, and had history of more runaways and longer periods of staying away from home. Girls who "run from" were older, more reflective, had external locus of control, and had history of fewer runaways and shorter periods away…

Describes Youth-Reaching-Youth (YRY) Project, peer substance abuse prevention program of National Network of Runaway and Youth Services. Defines YRY goal as preventing and reducing substance abuse among runaway, homeless, and other youth in high-risk situations. Describes need for program, training curriculum, and evaluation. (NB)

Assesses Adolescent Concerns Evaluation (ACE), an instrument that has the potential to identify youths who are at risk of running away. Preliminary evidence suggests that ACE is a reliable tool and it may help social workers determine treatment goals and measure treatment progress in their work with runaway youths. (Author/JDM)

Examined HIV risk behaviors among runaway youth by age at onset and sexual orientation. Adolescents age 12-21 years seeking health care at two clinics completed interviews and blood testing. Gay/lesbian/bisexual youth reported higher levels and earlier onset of sexual and drug-using behavior than heterosexual youth and were at exceptionally high…

Some studies suggest lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) teens are at higher risk than peers for violence at home, in school, and in the community. That can bring them into the child welfare system or services for runaway and homeless teens. This study compared self-reported experiences of sexual and physical abuse based on sexual orientation and…

Using intensive qualitative interviews with 40 homeless youth, this study examined their early family histories for abuse, neglect, and other family problems and the number and types of transitions that youth experienced. Multiple forms of child maltreatment, family alcoholism, drug use, and criminal activity characterized early family histories…

Realistic fiction has changed dramatically over the years. Formerly a sentimental, family-oriented story, today's realism focuses on today's problems and the protagonist's struggle to overcome them. Parents, once portrayed as protectors of the children, now often are cast as failures, needing help themselves. Yesterday's taboo subjects--drugs,…

An extensive review of the adolescent runaway literature indicated inconsistent findings regarding the presence, severity, and chronicity of psychopathological behavior among this high-risk group. Three experiments were conducted to address these issues using one personality measure, the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). The results of the…

This document contains witness testimonies from two Congressional hearings examining the reauthorization of Title 3(b) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 relating to the drug abuse education and prevention for runaway and homeless youth and youth gangs. Opening statements are included from Representatives Martinez and Fawell. Witnesses providing…

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act authorizes funds under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 for community-based centers that serve the shelter needs of runaway or homeless youths. To examine the effectiveness of the programs and the characteristics of program participants, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) visited 17…

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 provided financial incentives to states to divert and deinstitutionalize status offenders. Recently, criticisms are surfacing that the federal involvement in the status offender issue was inappropriate and had given children the freedom to run away. Concern about victimization of girls…

Public concern for children has become more visible during the last decade as awareness of child abuse and neglect has increased. It is difficult to design policies to deal with troubled youth who run away. Because families of runaways are often looked upon as failures, there is a reluctance among families to report the runaway. Families may not…

The connection between parental alcohol abuse and adolescent life stress, adolescent alcohol abuse and adolescent running away is explored in this study of 907 adolescents ranging in age from 12-17. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not alcohol abuse and running away can be viewed as a response to, or an escape from stress. It…