The Effective Provision of Counselling Services to the Homeless Adolescents - Research Paper Example

? RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE I. Introduction The topic to be explored is effective provision of counseling services to the homeless adolescents. The significance of the study topic lies as a result of the seriousness of the homelessness problem. Estimates from the National Runaway Switchboard shows that there are almost 1.3 million homeless youths who live unsupervised in abandoned buildings, on streets, with strangers or with friends (“Understanding the Health Care Needs of Homeless Youth,” 2012). In this case, homeless youths face high risks of sexual exploitation, physical abuse, substance abuse, mental health disabilities, and even death. Studies have revealed that over five thousand unaccompanied youths die every year as a result of illness, assault or suicide (Thompson et al., 2013). Statistics obtained from the National Runaway Switchboard indicates that the existing recession has contributed to an increase in runaway and homeless youths (“Understanding the Health Care Needs of Homeless Youth,” 2012). Between the years 2005 and 2008, there was a two hundred percent increase in calls coming from the youths citing economic reasons for running away from their homes. A survey conducted in 2008 in school districts revealed that there was an upsurge of homeless students. It is worth noting that the exact number of homeless students is difficult to determine since there is no standard methodology to monitor mobility of the homeless people. Additionally, studies have revealed that youths between ages twelve and seven are at a high risk of becoming homeless compared to adults (“Understanding the Health Care Needs of Homeless Youth,” 2012). Homeless youths who do not receive counseling services often perform dismally in school. Additionally, it is reported that they have high grade retention and school mobility. All these make it difficult for the adolescents to concentrate on the school work and perform exemplary in their respective academic disciplines (Slesnick, Kang, Bonomi, & Prestopnik, 2008). It is a fact that stability is an essential facet for a healthy emotional and physical development and for children. Therefore, moves irrespective of the reasons that disrupt the day-to-day routines of adolescents require lots of adjustments to make them cope (Slesnick, Prestopnik, Meyers, & Glassman, 2007). Several studies carried on students who move from one place to another have revealed stressful transitions on the part of students even in instances where the move was planned. In this regard, homeless children face sudden, unexpected and traumatic experiences as they try to come to terms with their condition. It is a key life event since it involves loss of friends, belongings, community, schools, support systems, community, just to mention but a few (Tyler, Gervais, & Davidson, 2012). The main purpose of this review is to critically analyze and review various empirical studies previously conducted on homeless adolescents. Additionally, the review will also examine the main conceptual studies that give useful models or guidelines for evaluating the importance of offering counseling services to the homeless. The main question that gives direction to this paper is: “What is the current best evidence regarding the effectiveness of providing counseling services to the homeless adolescents?” II. Methods There are numerous terms of precarious importance that were used during the study. These terms are known as ‘key terms’ since they played significance roles in making it easy for understanding the context of the research area. One of these terms is homelessness; which refers to the condition of lacking a regular dwelling place. Another key term is counseling services which refer to all the compassionate activities aimed at improving the wellbeing of an individual by facilitating his or her intellectual, interpersonal and emotional development. In order to obtain all the articles that would provide the best information available to study the topic; an assortment of search terms was used. These search terms were in form of simple phrases made of few words picked from the main question of the study. Some of the phrases that were used include; “homelessness among adolescents”, “effectiveness of counseling homeless students”, “evidence of homelessness”, just to mention but a few. It is matter of fact that the information regarding homeless adolescents is constantly changing. The change is attributed to the improvement in ways of helping the homeless adolescents from the challenges they face as they struggle to undergo schooling despite their situations. Therefore, in order to obtain the most recent information, it was decided that the date parameters be set to range between 2005 and 2013. This was necessary to ensure that the most recent, rigorous and relevant conceptual studies were used. In order to ensure that the paper came out in the best possible manner, the mentioned above criteria for inclusion were used. On the other hand, the irrelevant material that also came up during the study was omitted basing on the exclusion criteria. This criterion did not pay any special attention to any conceptual article that did not touch on homeless adolescents or any article that was written before 2005. The focus on this paper compelled us to consult the following data bases: Tripdatabase.com, Health Services Research and Psych Info. The tables below will give the findings and the results of the study. The study also employed the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of conducting a research work. This is attributed to the fact that the study was conducted in order to make people understand the underlying reasons that contribute to homelessness among adolescents. In this case, it employed the use of qualitative research. However, after the data was collected, it was quantified and generalized in order to measure the opinions and views of the chosen sample. In this case, the quantitative research methods were at play. III. Results Tabular Results- Articles Included and Excluded Table 1.Overview Table of Literature Cited Citation Study Focus Design Participants Findings Main Conclusions Slesnick, Prestopnik, Meyers & Glassman, 2007 Evaluating social stability, substance abuse, physical and mental health issues among homeless youths Mixed methods, screening in the selection of participants after which they are subjected to Community Response Approach for six months where their behaviors is monitored for six months. 180 homeless youths of ages 14-22 who had been living for over three months in the metropolitan city of Albuquerque and had plans to remain for a period not less than six months were selected for the study. Older youths who have longer history of being homeless demonstrated depressive symptoms and required greater focus on mood management, coping, as well as other development skills offered. Open door policies of engaging youths slowly without exerting pressures on them, as well as using informed therapists plays an integral role in maintaining treatment of these youths. Slesnick, Kang, Bonomi, & Prestopnik, 2008 Evaluating the effects of individual therapy and case management offered through in drop-in centers for homeless youths on substance abuse, education, housing, mental health, medical care utilization, among others Repetitive design measure was used. Youths were evaluated at baseline, six months and post-baseline at twelve months. Use of hierarchical modeling was employed to test the hypotheses. 172 homeless youths of age 14-24 who were accessing treatment services in an urban drop-in center were included. There was significant improvement in mental health and substance abuse for those participants who were housed up to twelve months post baseline. Housing also contributed a great deal to a decrease in alcohol and drug use. Treatment and counseling offered to homeless youths through drop-ins positively impact on them. However, funding, policy and service provision requires extreme collaboration and support in order to successfully address homelessness. Thompson, Ryan, Montgomery, Lippman, Bender & Ferguson, 2013 The study examined the perceptions of coping and resilience among homeless young adults Mixed methods, semi-structured qualitative as well as individual audio interviews were conducted. 45 homeless young adults participated in the study. There are four crucial themes that highlight perceptions of coping and resiliency. These are; positive life perspectives, individual strengths, individual coping strategies, and external social supports. Recognizing the resilience and strengths that homeless youths are capable of, as well as incorporating strength-based perspectives empowers these youths and encourage positive choices; thus, increasing the transitioning from homelessness. Tyler, Gervais & Davidson, 2012 Investigating the relationship between childhood abuse, street exposure, and other forms of street victimization with marijuana and alcohol abuse among homeless and run away female youths. Semi-structured questionnaires and responding to interviews. 137 homeless and run-away female adolescents participated Homeless girls experienced sexual abuse as a result of trading sex. Girls who had spent the longest time from home used alcohol and marijuana frequently. Additionally, sexual abuse and trading in sex was greatly influenced by the alcohol and marijuana usage. Melander & Tyler, 2013 To examine the relationship that exists among child physical and sexual abuse, partner violence, and street victimization with substance use among homeless youths. Semi-structured questionnaires and responding to interviews. 172 homeless youths took part in the study. Males and other youths who testified parental drug problems were more likely to register higher rates of substance abuse. Youths who suffered childhood physical and sexual abuse, as well as those who experienced relationship violence had high chances of registering high frequencies of substance use. All these complications make it difficult for those offering services to the homeless. Reflections on the Literature Collection Process Reflecting on the entire literature collection process, I would say that the process was quite an exciting but challenging process. This is attributed to the fact that I expected a straight-forward process; however, it came with various challenges which made it a little bit complicated and at the same time exciting. The numerous articles that came up during the study made it an interesting exercise since we had to go through crucial information in order to come up with the best and relevant information for the study. In as much as the entire process was time-consuming, it was worth it since we acquired the information we needed for successful execution of the study. On the other hand, we obtained vital information which we also documented that can act as starting points for future research work that may be conducted on the same topic. Looking back on the entire process, I strongly believe that we have been served if we had sought the help of a librarian right from the beginning. This is because the librarian could have helped us to move a little bit faster as we sieved through the numerous databases in search of information. However, I can confidently say that we were satisfied with the information we obtained. IV. Discussion Summary of findings Homelessness is a crucial problem that should be addressed by the society. Statistics indicate that the presence of homeless youths is increasing tremendously each year (Thompson et al., 2013). This increase in the number of homelessness adolescents is quite worrying since they suffer high rates of illicit drug abuse, alcohol consumption, physical and sexual abuse, survival sex, teen pregnancy, depression, just to mention but a few (Melander & Tyler, 2013). These adverse health situations are complicated by the fact that several homeless youths do not access to social and health services. Barriers that hinder them from accessing health services is contributed by the fact that they fear that social services or parents may be contacted, lack of identification, knowledge of clinic places or identification (Slesnick et al., 2008). All these necessitates employing the use of psychotherapists since they play an integral role in enlightening these youths on the importance of accessing social and health care services (Tyler et al., 2012). Limitations of reviewed articles There were numerous key limitations that all the articles reviewed. For instance, all the studies used convenience samples; thus, limiting the generalizability of the results. It is evident that in all the studies conducted, the number of homeless youths that were used does not exceed two hundred, yet there are over one million homeless youths. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain that the response obtained from the few homeless youths can be used to make conclusions about them. For this reason, future researchers should try and increase the number of participants to between six and seven hundred. Overall Themes/ Major points The main theme in the articles reviewed indicates that homeless youths are facing serious challenges. These challenges range from suffer high rates of illicit drug abuse, alcohol consumption, physical and sexual abuse, survival sex, teen pregnancy, depression, among others (Melander & Tyler, 2013). Therefore, the main points being proposed to help solve this problem entail co-operation of all the stakeholders involved in providing services to the homeless. However, it is evident that the role played by psychiatrists should be given emphasis since it is one of the surest ways of making these youths come out of their hiding cocoons and seek help. V. Conclusion In conclusion, homelessness has been depicted as a problem that needs immediate address from all the relevant stakeholders. Every person involved should join hands and work together to help these homeless youths come out of the streets and obtain accommodation where they can go to school. As it has been seen from all the articles reviewed, counseling should be on the fore-front as one of the measures that should be put in place to help the homelessness youths (Melander & Tyler, 2013). This is attributed to the fact that they face trauma as they live in the streets. References Melander, L. A., & Tyler, K. A. (2013). Child Abuse, Street Victimization, and Substance Use Among Homeless Young Adults. Youth Society. Retrieved from http://yas.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/01/06/0044118X12471354.abstract Slesnick, N., Kang, M. J., Bonomi, A. E., & Prestopnik, J. L. (2008). Six- and Twelve-Month Outcomes among Homeless Youth Accessing Therapy and Case Management Services through an Urban Drop-in Center. Health Serv Res, 43(1), 211–229. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2323142/ Slesnick, N., Prestopnik, J. L., Meyers, R. J., & Glassman, M. (2007). Treatment outcome for street-living, homeless youth. Addictive Behaviors, 32, 1237–1251. Thompson, S. J., Ryan, T. N., Montgomery, K. L., Lippman, A. D. P., Bender, K., & Ferguson, K. (2013). Perceptions of Resiliency and Coping: Homeless Young Adults Speak Out. Youth Society. Tyler, K. A., Gervais, S. J., & Davidson, M. M. (2012). The Relationship Between Victimization and Substance Use Among Homeless and Runaway Female Adolescents. J Interpers Violence. Understanding the Health Care Needs of Homeless Youth. (2012).Health Resources and Services Administration Primary Care: The Health Center Program. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policiesregulations/policies/pal200110.html Read More