Correlates of Substance Use Among Homeless Youths in Eight Cities

Abstract

Homeless youths (N = 684) in eight cities participated in this study to understand the rates and correlates of substance use. Rates of lifetime and recent substance use ranged from 66% to 90%. Variability in lifetime and recent substance use was partially explained by being white (ages 14-17); ever attempting suicide (ages 14-17); not being African American (lifetime substance use) or Hispanic (ages 18-24); being male (ages 18-24); identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (ages 18-24); using substances with a parent; beginning substance use at a young age; and having a family history of a substance problem.