Predictors of Homelessness

Predictors of Homelessness

A significant proportion of youths in the united states are homeless. The youths account for 12% of all homeless people in the US. The high prevalence rates of homelessness among the youth make them the most vulnerable group to experience homelessness. Thus, the current research paper wants to investigate the predictors of change among the youth. The study was designed to explore the influencers of change on homelessness among adolescents living in the street. Homelessness was monitored over a period of 6 months. Prior to the study, some factors were identified to be possible predictors of homelessness among the street adolescents. The expected predictors that reduce homelessness included: being female, older age, low frequency of drug abuse, being non-Anglo, and fewer mental health.

The participants in the study were selected from a larger group of homeless youth accessing a drop-in center. The youths to be included in the study had to be between the age of 14 and 22 years. Secondly, the youth should have lived in the area 3 months prior to the study and had plans to continue staying for the next 6 months. The sample size was 180 youths where 66% comprised of males while 34% were female. Mean age for all the participants was 19.21%. 159 participants were not attending school at the time of the study.

The selection process for participants involved a screening of youths visiting a drop-in center. After establishing the eligibility of the participants, the research assistant administered an assessment questionnaire after seeking the participant’s consent. After administering the first questionnaire, follow-up assessments were done at 3 months and 6 months. The assessment materials took approximately 2 hours and were completed in one of the offices within the drop-in center. For the base-line assessment during the onset of the study, toiletries were offered as forms of rewards. For every completed follow-up assessment, respondents were given $50.

Different sets of questionnaires were utilized to collect data. Demographic questionnaire was used to collect demographic data such as age, gender, and other characteristics. A Health Risk Questionnaire was used to collect health related data. The analysis of the collected data utilized exploratory analysis strategies. The raw data was first reviewed, and data points established for three times for assessment. A two-step cluster analysis characterized the initial analysis process followed by multinomial regression.

Based on the results from analysis of data, it was established that there are four distinct patterns that predict changes in homelessness. The first predictor was the connection between the homeless and the social systems. The access to employment, education, and health services reduced homelessness. Increased rates of access to social services significantly reduced the frequency of homelessness. It was also revealed that high rates of homeless days were closely associated with engagement in risk behaviors. Males change homelessness patterns more frequently as compared to females whose change patterns were more predictable. More Latinos are homeless than Anglo respondents.

The study was without limitations. The sample size used was small hence hindering its generalizability. The small sample size does not validate the use of the results to formulate models for future research. Additionally, the sampling method used to select participants was based on convenience selection. The participants are influenced by intervention efforts offered through the drop-in centers. Thus, the research results will not be replicated to youths who are not experiencing any intervention methods. The data collection methods applied provided relevant data to pursue the purpose of the study. The data collection method used was elaborative and captured every element of homelessness. I also concur with the conclusion that access to social services reduces the homelessness.

Delay of Gratification

Gratification may be impacted by various factors. The satisfaction that comes with achieving a specific activity is influenced by the time it takes to receive the reward that comes with the accomplishment of the activity. The research questions include; does delay in reward facilitate delay gratification? It is common to find people engaging in various activities to help distract their attention while waiting for a reward. Thinking about other things can also be considered a distraction which might help to lengthen the time it takes before one decides to go for a less preferred reward which is immediately available as opposed to waiting for a preferred reward. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impacts of cognition and attention in delay gratification. The research hypothesized that the reduction or avoidance of the frustrative components of delay gratification is enhanced by effective delay behavior.

The study carried out experiment to test the effects of attention and cognition on the length of delayed gratification. The research required children to choose between immediate reward and a delayed preferred reward. The independent variable in the study was the distraction that is caused by the individual himself. The dependent variable is the length of time the children in the experiment took before giving a signal that they wished to terminate the waiting and take the available reward. Self-distraction was achieved using two methods which are external activities and internal cognition activities. The children would be allowed to play with toys to distract them physically and instructed to think about something to distract them internally. A control group was also followed throughout the experiment.

A total of 50 pre-school children were recruited into the study. The sample comprised of equal proportions of boys and girls. The children had to be aged between 3 and half years and 5 and half years. The experiment process involved the setting of a room where the children would stay as they wait for the reward. The room had a barrier that separate the experimenter who in not among the children and the children. The room contained toys. The experimenter would give instructions on the reward the children will get if they wait and that one they will get if they ring the bell.

The results from the experiment showed that the average time for waiting for a reward was significantly low when there was no distraction. When distractors are available, the time for waiting is high. It can be observed that the availability of distraction increased the average waiting time. Without distractor, the attention paid to rewards is high which in return results in low waiting time. The waiting time when there is an external distractor was significantly low as compared to the time when a cognitive distractor was available.

With p<0.001, asking children to wait yielded increased waiting time. It was also observed that no single child waited until the experimenter returned by himself when there was no distraction. On the other side, 50% of the children waited for the experimenter to return by himself when distractors were available. From the second experiment, positive cognitive distractors translated to longer waiting time than significant negative distractors. The results from the study are useful for explaining self-control theories and misconceptions. Motivation and high attention lead individuals to wait longer for better things in life than accepting available low-quality things. Finally, it is concluded that individuals consider the determinants of choice to delay with the aim of receiving a preferred outcome. Expectations on probable outcome influence decisions to wait.

Foster Youth

Foster youth are vulnerable while they transition from adolescents to adulthood where they are expected to lead an independent life. During the transition process, various factors affect their ability to become independent. At this stage, services are cut or reduced to significant levels. While transitioning to independent living, foster youth require certain skills to help them adapt to their new status of life. Data from previous research indicates that there is a strong positive correlation between being a former foster youth and negative outcomes which is associated with the lack of independent living skills. On the other side, special needs, mental health, and behavioral needs cause difficulties in living independently among foster youth. The purpose of the current study is to examine the needs of foster youth emancipating from care. The study also investigates the services offered to such youth by the state of Illinois.

580 participants were identified and recruited to participate in the study. The sample comprised of former foster youth. Random sampling was utilized after the sample was stratified. Youths aged 17.5 years and older were included in the study. The survey was to be completed by caseworkers. Majority of the sampled youth were 17 years old. The survey question was emailed to respondents. The survey document contained four questions. The selected caseworker filled survey questionnaires on the selected foster youth under them. Caseworkers who failed to return a completed report were reminded via phone calls. Data was collected using Older Ward Status Report that contained questions on education status, lack of independent living skills, employment status, emotional and problems among other special needs that affect the ability to attain self-independence. The questions were closed-ended to ease coding and data entry.

Various variables were used in the study. The variables included educational deficits, serious behavior issues, demographic characteristics, job skill deficits, and pregnancy. Reports for all the 416 participants were returned with some completed and others partially completed. To investigate the difference between gender and difference between completed and missing reports, t-test was applied. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square analysis were utilized during the data analysis process. The study set the significance level at 0.05.

72% of the respondents completed the survey questionnaire. The records of 416 out of 580 youths were received by the research team. There was higher response rates in younger youths than older youths. From the results, it was observed that 42% of the youth had completed high school education. 44% of the youth aged 18 years and more had employment where majority of them works part-time. It was discovered that unemployment and the lack of the ability to keep a job for a long time are the major problems that limit the youth from living an independent life when they no longer receive foster services. Unemployment was reported as a major problem for 27% of the youth while 29% considered unemployment a somewhat problem.

The caseworkers predicted that 36% of the youth would be successful in attaining independent living. The rate at which girls would be successful was high as compared to the rate at which boys would be successful in attaining independent living. Racial differences was found not to significantly predict success in establishing independent living among the youth. Urban youth are more likely to face challenges while attaining independence. Pregnancy and parenting affected the process of living an independent life by the young women. Difficulties with relationships and poor interpersonal skills were reported to be predictors of difficulties in attaining independent living among the youth. School dropout was closely associated with substance abuse and unemployment which negatively impacts the ability to live independently. Youths with severe mental disorders were more likely to fail in attaining independent living.