| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94613 | Aggression and Violent Behavior | 2014 | 17 Pages |
•Systematic review of youth homelessness and physically violent behaviors•Homeless youth report perpetrating various forms of physically violent behavior•Homeless youth report being victimized by many physically violent behaviors•Associations between homelessness and physically violent behavior are unclear.•Examining the influence of situational antecedents to violent behavior is warranted.
ObjectivesThis systematic review appraises published studies reporting associations between homelessness, perpetration of physically violent behavior and experience of victimization due to others' physically violent behavior, among young people.MethodsA comprehensive systematic search of psychology, sociology, and health electronic databases, including PsycInfo and SocIndex was conducted. Search terms examined (a) homeless youth, (b) perpetration of physically violent behavior, and (c) experience of victimization due to others' physically violent behavior.ResultsTwenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed homeless youth report engaging in physically violent behavior including assault, physical fights, and robbery, and commonly describe victimization experiences such as being physically assaulted, threatened with weapons, and robbed. Rates of perpetration of physically violent behavior and experiences of victimization were inconsistent across reviewed studies. It is unclear whether homelessness is a predictor of the perpetration of physically violent behavior and/or victimization. Findings suggest that perpetration of, and being victimized by others' physically violent behavior, may vary for sub-groups of homeless youth.ConclusionsFurther research embedded within theoretical perspectives that consider the influence of situational antecedents is warranted to examine whether homelessness is predictive of engagement in physically violent behavior and the experience of victimization due to others' physically violent behavior.
