Bender Kimberly, Thompson Sanna J, McManus Holly, Lantry Janet, Flynn Patrick M
School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 1717 W. 6th St., Suite 335, Austin, TX 78703, USA.
Child Youth Care Forum. 2007 Feb 1;36(1):25-42. doi: 10.1007/s10566-006-9029-4.
The majority of research on homeless youth has focused on the multitude of problems faced by this vulnerable population. The current study, while acknowledging the hazards of life on the streets, seeks to explore the personal strengths and informal resources street youth rely on to navigate their environments. Qualitative data from seven focus groups conducted with street youth ages 18-24 were analyzed using content analysis. These data, rich with interactions among youth participants, highlight three important themes: developing "street smarts," existence of personal strengths, and informal resources relied upon by youth to survive. Results provide valuable insights into the strengths of homeless youth that can be useful to providers in assessing street youths' service needs and increasing the likelihood of long-term positive outcomes.
大多数关于无家可归青少年的研究都集中在这一弱势群体所面临的众多问题上。本研究虽然承认街头生活的危险,但旨在探索无家可归青少年赖以应对周围环境的个人优势和非正式资源。通过内容分析,对与18至24岁的街头青少年进行的七个焦点小组的定性数据进行了分析。这些数据充满了青少年参与者之间的互动,突出了三个重要主题:培养“街头智慧”、个人优势的存在以及青少年赖以生存的非正式资源。研究结果为了解无家可归青少年的优势提供了宝贵的见解,有助于服务提供者评估街头青少年的服务需求,并提高实现长期积极成果的可能性。