Runaways who will run away again ?

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are significant differences between first-time and recidivist runaway residents of a county center for juvenile status offenders. A total of 149 subjects (34 males and 115 females) between the ages of 12 and 16 were administered the Reading section of the High School Personality Questionnaire. Demography data were obtained from each subject's intake interview form. A stepwise multiple discrimination analysis resulted in the selection of 8 variables that discriminate between first-time and recidivist runaways. The 8 discriminant variables characterized the recidivist runaway as an urban, Caucasian youth who has had previous contact with an agency, has stayed at the center an average of 13.6 days, has lower general intelligence, is less objective and less self-sufficient, and is at risk of becoming psychotic or delinquent.