The results, compiled from data from Mission Australia’s 2009 National Survey of Young Australians, also found that young homeless people were far less concerned about drugs and personal safety – leading issues of concern for the majority of young people.
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When asked to rank their concerns about 15 issues, body image was ranked most frequently in the top three by 37.5 per cent of young homeless respondents. In comparison, 25.0 per cent of young people living in stable accommodation ranked body image as a major issue.
The second highest issue of concern to young homeless people was alcohol – with 37.3 per cent of respondents indicating it was a major issue – compared to 22.4 per cent for those in secure housing.
Bullying/emotional abuse was ranked as a major concern by close to one-in-three homeless young people compared to one-in-four of those in stable accommodation.
The main worry for young people in secure housing was drugs with 26.9 per cent compared to only 17.4 per cent for homeless young people.
Similarly, personal safety was viewed as a pressing concern by close to one-in-four non-homeless young people with only one-in-ten homeless youth considering it as such.
Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said the results exposed the differences between young people influenced by their access to secure accommodation.
“We tend to think of young people as an homogenous group but they’re incredibly diverse. And when a young person has experienced homelessness it can have a dramatic impact on their concerns, the things they value and the people or places they turn to for help, particularly compared to those not in that situation,” said Ms Hampshire.
Other differences between homeless and non-homeless respondents identified in the survey include:
- Young homeless people ranked feeling needed and valued (39.1 per cent) as of higher importance compared to non-homeless youth (25.8 per cent). Conversely, young homeless people placed a far greater emphasis on being independent (55.9 per cent) compared to their contemporaries (32.3 per cent).
- While both groups of young people valued family relationships (homeless 66.9% / non-homeless 76.1 per cent) young people in stable housing placed a greater emphasis on friendships (other than family) at 61.4 per cent compared to only 42.6 per cent among homeless youth.
- Homeless youth place a far greater importance on non-family members as a source of advice than those in secure accommodation. Close to one-in-two homeless young people go to community agencies for primary support compared to one-in-ten non-homeless youth.
Similarly around one-in-two homeless young people use the Internet as a major source of help compared to one-in-five in stable housing. In addition, 30% of homeless young people don’t have access to enough information when they have a personal problem.
The national survey, conducted annually by Mission Australia, tested the views of close to 48,000 young people between the ages of 11-24 (97.9 per cent aged 11-19). Among those who took part, 386 were homeless or in insecure housing; 225 were in out-of-home/foster care; and 460 were living in a juvenile justice centre or prison.
As to why such stark differences existed between homeless and non-homeless young people on issues such as body image, alcohol and drugs, Ms Hampshire said a number of reasons could be responsible.
“Young homeless people are no different to other young adolescents – how they look, their appearance and presentation is important to them. However, their concerns are likely to be magnified if they don’t have access to the resources to buy new clothes or are possibly reliant on donated goods. It’s hard to look after your appearance if you’re couch-surfing and don’t have a safe and secure place to stay.
“Poor body image is also tied up poor self-esteem and an overall lack of well-being. The high concern about alcohol among young homeless respondents – particularly when compared to those in secure housing – could relate to their experience of alcohol misuse in their family or their own usage of alcohol as research has shown there’s an increased likelihood of homeless young people having high levels of alcohol consumption.”
“A lower level of concern about drugs among this group – when it is the chief issue for young people in stable accommodation – might suggest a greater familiarity with drugs and if that’s the case it requires us to put more efforts into drug education and health campaigns for this particular group,” said Ms Hampshire.
According to Ms Hampshire the results also reveal the importance of personal connections in keeping a young person out of homelessness or helping them back on their feet.
“Developing and sustaining connections with family and friends is a key foundation for a young person’s wellbeing. We also know that family conflict is the most common reason for homeless young people leaving home.
“Personal connections are a cornerstone in helping a young homeless person back on their feet – that’s why programs which intervene early to help young homeless people re-build these sorts of relationships are so important,” said Ms Hampshire.
National Homeless Persons’ Week (2-8 August) is also the time for Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout.Winter Sleepout encourages Australians to show their support for homeless people by spending a night away from their beds and raising funds for Mission Australia’s homeless services.
Simply get together with your family, friends, colleagues, social teams, schools and clubs and ‘sleepout’ and seek sponsorship for your efforts.
For more information visit www.wintersleepout.com.au
Media contact: Patrick Flynn (02) 9641 5031 or 0407 411 256
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