Former Foster Youth Typology of Risk: A Latent Class Analysis of Risk Factors Prior to Homelessness

Background: Homeless youth suffer from a wide range of risk factors that impact the length and quality of their lives. As many as 40% of all homeless youth report a history of foster care and emerging research suggests some experiences while in foster care may impact behavioral health outcomes. This study aims to explore class membership of homeless former foster youth by their risk factors while under foster care.

Methods: The YouthNet data set was used for this analysis, comprised of a community-based sample of 814 homeless youth ages 13-25 from two drop-in centers in Hollywood and Santa Monica, CA. All responses were based on self-reports and included questions regarding foster care experience, trauma experiences, and risk factors for becoming homeless (social network and family instability measures). A latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine a profile of risks among these homeless former foster youth. Logistic regressions were then run for each risk class, using drug risk variables, sex risk variables, and depressive/suicidal risk variables as the outcome variables to determine if class membership predicted engagement in risk behaviors once homeless.

Results: The latent class analysis revealed a four-class solution. Class 1 consisted of individuals at high risk of becoming homeless and low trauma, class 2 consisted of individuals at low risk of becoming homeless and low trauma, class 3 consisted of individuals with low risk of becoming homeless and high trauma, and class 4 consisted of individuals with high risk of becoming homeless and high trauma. Results of the regressions demonstrate that class 1 (high risk for homelessness, low trauma) significantly predicted a most lifetime drug use variables, all sex risk variables, and both suicidal ideation and CESD score.

Discussion: This study indicates that homeless former foster youth generally fit into four distinct risk classes where their homelessness risk and trauma are concerned. While prior literature has looked at risk typologies for foster youth, this study specifically examined class membership of homeless former foster youth by their risks prior to homelessness. Upon examination of the impact of these classes on current risk behaviors, the presence or absence of a trauma history made the largest impact on rates of current drug use, sex risk behaviors, and depressive symptoms. These findings may influence the way interventions examine risk among homeless former foster youth and the ways that they address the unique experiences of former foster youth.