Examining the Link between Victimization and Substance Use among Homeless Youth: An Ecological Momentary Assessment

• In Event: Data and Methodological Innovations in Substance Use Research

Abstract

Prior research has established that homeless youth experience high rates of street victimization (Tyler et al. 2004) and high rates of substance use (Hadland et al. 2011). Because much of the research to date on homeless youth is retrospective, it does not allow researchers to link, for example, victimization experiences with particular drug use episodes. Our study addresses this gap by using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) via short message service (SMS) surveying with 150 homeless youth over a 30-day period. Specifically, we examine whether having experienced physical or sexual victimization on a specific day is linked to substance use later that day. Hierarchical logistic regression results revealed that experiencing any type of victimization on a specific day was associated with drinking later that day. Additionally, youth who reported being sexually assaulted earlier in the day were significantly more likely to drink later that day. Other significant risk factors for current day drinking included being male, non-heterosexual, and having experienced child physical abuse. Because SMS allows for such specificity, we are able to better understand what homeless youth experience daily and which specific negative experiences are linked to substance use. This information will allow service providers to better serve this population.

Authors

• Kimberly Tyler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Kristen Olson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Colleen Ray, University of Nebraska - Lincoln