AIDS risk behaviors among American and Australian homeless youth

Abstract

We examined HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among homeless youth in cross-national data collected in Melbourne, Australia (n = 398), and Los Angeles, California (n = 498). Using structural equation modeling, we found that the Australian youth reported greater involvement in AIDS risk behaviors than the American youth and the Australian youth were more involved in intervening risk factors that promote risk behaviors and less involved with protective factors that reduce risk behaviors. Youth reporting the highest rates of delinquent behaviors also had peers engaging in delinquent acts, used alcohol and marijuana, and were more likely to utilize social services. These findings underscore the importance of having a service sector that is able to adequately address the needs of homeless youth. © 2007 The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.