Risk Behaviors and Sexual Health in the Context of Homelessness Discrimination in an Urban Sample of Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Abstract

Discrimination based on homelessness is a problem that has only recently been explored in youth experiencing homelessness (YEH). Our study explores the relationship between homelessness discrimination and risky sexual health behaviors among 147 urban YEH. YEH reporting more discrimination were less likely to use contraception. YEH who reported more depressive symptoms were also less likely to use contraception. There was also an indirect effect of discrimination on contraceptive use through depressive symptoms, suggesting that discrimination is associated with more risky sexual behavior by way of depressive symptoms. The direct path between discrimination and risky substance use was moderated by age. Implications for emerging adults and adolescents experiencing homelessness are discussed.

Keywords

homelessness youth sexual health risk behaviors discrimination

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