PROBLEM: The high rate of arrests among homeless youths has stimulated a growing interest in uncovering the factors associated with police involvement in this population. This study explored external factors related to their arrests. METHOD: This secondary analysis involved 186 homeless youths. The difference between youths who reported arrests and those who did not was examined based on the following variables: economic status, meaningful activity, involvement with other homeless peers, mental illness, and drug use. FINDINGS: The results of this study showed a significant association between drug use and arrests, length of time homeless and arrests, and depression and arrests. CONCLUSION: The various factors thought to be associated with arrests likely interact with one another, making it difficult to directly link a specific behavior to being arrested.
PROBLEM: The high rate of arrests among homeless youths has stimulated a growing interest in uncovering the factors associated with police involvement in this population. This study explored external factors related to their arrests. METHOD: This secondary analysis involved 186 homeless youths. The difference between youths who reported arrests and those who did not was examined based on the following variables: economic status, meaningful activity, involvement with other homeless peers, mental illness, and drug use. FINDINGS: The results of this study showed a significant association between drug use and arrests, length of time homeless and arrests, and depression and arrests. CONCLUSION: The various factors thought to be associated with arrests likely interact with one another, making it difficult to directly link a specific behavior to being arrested.