Runaways: Who Will Run Away Again?

• NCJ Number: 115579
• Journal: Adolescence Volume: 23 Issue: 92 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 881-888
• Author(s): N B Speck; D W Ginther; J R Helton
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are significant differences between first-time and recidivist runaway residents of a county center for juvenile status offenders.

Abstract

A total of 149 subjects (34 males and 115 females) between the ages of 12 and 16 were administered the Reading section of the Wide Range Achievement Test, Coddington's Life Events Inventory, and the High School Personality Questionnaire. Demographic data were obtained from each subject's intake interview form. A stepwise multiple discrimination analysis resulted in the selection of eight variables that discriminate between the first-time and recidivist runaways. The eight discriminant variables characterized the recidivist runaway as an urban, Caucasian youth who has had previous contact with an agency, has stayed at the center an average of 13.6 days, has lower general intelligence, is less objective and less self-sufficient, and is at risk of becoming psychotic or delinquent. (Author abstract)