NCJ Number
143211
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 442-446
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A sample of 60 runaway and homeless youths, whose average age was 16.6 years, was used in this Los Angeles study to explore the effects of attachment history on the stabilization process. Results were obtained by comparing the number of placements in foster care, indices of depression, the need for caregivers' attention, and appropriateness of responses to emotional situations by stabilization-responsive (SR) and stabilization nonresponsive (SNR) youths.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 40 current residents of the Los Angeles Youth Network shelter and 20 former residents who had been off the streets for 6 months (controls). Data were obtained through interviews and administration of the Attachment History Questionnaire and the Separation Anxiety Test. As a result of earlier family disruption and multiple unsuccessful out-of-home placements, the SNR group expected to find fewer people who were willing to help them than did the SR group. Both controls and SR youths showed higher levels of depression than did SNR youth, indicating that the latter developed mechanisms to deny their feelings of depression and wanting care from others. The SNR youths were less motivated to change their behavior and needed an environment that set more limits than emergency homeless shelters. Controls and SR youths were more likely to cling to staff and to need more attention; they also showed more empathy during emotional situations than SNR youths, who had learned to defend themselves against rejection by withdrawing from their emotions. 1 table and 19 references