HEADSS, a psychosocial risk assessment instrument: implications for designing effective intervention programs for runaway youth. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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HEADSS, a psychosocial risk assessment instrument: implications for designing effective intervention programs for runaway youth.

J Adolesc Health. 1991 Nov;12(7):539-44. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/92126678
Cohen E; Mackenzie RG; Yates GL; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Childrens Hospital of Los; Angeles, CA 90027.

Abstract: In this article, we present data obtained with the psychosocial interview instrument, HEADSS (Home, Education, Activities, Drug use and abuse, Sexual behavior, Suicidality and depression) that was administered to High Risk Youth Clinic clients at their initial visits during a 1-year period. Of the 1,015 new patients, 63% were homeless/runaway youths and 37% were living with their families. Utilizing the HEADSS interview instrument, we compared homeless/runaway youths to nonhomeless youths in a number of areas, including risks for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Our results showed that homeless teens tended to be younger, female, and white compared to their nonhomeless counterparts. They were more likely to have dropped out of school and were far more likely to be depressed and actively suicidal. They demonstrated all forms of drug abuse. They engaged in first sexual intercourse at an earlier age, and experienced a higher incidence of sexual abuse and prostitution. They were 6 times more likely to be at risk for HIV infection.
Keywords: Adolescence Adolescent Health Services/UTILIZATION Adult Depression Female Homeless Persons/*PSYCHOLOGY/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA Human Intervention Studies *Interview, Psychological Los Angeles/EPIDEMIOLOGY Male Risk Factors *Runaway Reaction Sex Behavior Socioeconomic Factors Substance Abuse Suicide JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDadolescenceadolescenthealthservices/utilizationadultdepressionfemalehomelesspersons/KWDpsychology/statistics&numerdatahumaninterventionstudiesKWDinterview,psychologicallosangeles/epidemiologymaleriskfactorsKWDrunawayreactionsexbehaviorsocioeconomicfactorssubstanceabusesuicidejournalarticle
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Copyright © 1992 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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