NCJ Number
205721
Journal
Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 129-147
Editor(s)
Tory J. Caeti,
Eric J. Fritsch
Date Published
April 2004
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article examines the predictors of arrest among homeless and runaway youth and if the predictors of arrest differ by gender.
Abstract
Research is limited regarding the predictors of arrest among homeless and runaway youth. It is also unclear whether the same factors leading to running away from home and criminal activity while on the street are associated with arrests for homeless and runaway youth. In addition, it is unclear whether the factors associated with arrest for homeless and runaway youth differ by gender. This study asked two questions: (1) are the predictors of arrest among homeless and runaway youth similar to the predictors of self-reported offending and (2) do these predictors differ by gender? A bivariate analysis of variance on key variables by gender was conducted to investigate whether the number of arrests, familial factors, and street exposure factors differed by gender. Research findings found general support for the idea that the factors associated with self-reported offending are similar to the factors associated with arrest for homeless and runaway youth, with one exception: length of time on the street. It was found that youth who were arrested prior to running away reported more arrests. The research reinforces past research on the importance of deviant peers in the crime and arrest nexus. Association with deviant peers strongly influenced boys’ arrests. Boys were found to be more likely than girls to be arrested, especially if they had been arrested prior to running away and if they associated with deviant peers. Study limitations and policy implications are presented and discussed. Appendix and references