Intimate partner violence and the social networks of female homeless youth

Background: While there is a growing body of research on intimate partner violence (IPV) among the housed adolescent population, a limited amount is known about IPV among homeless youth. The purpose of this study is to determine if there are differences in how IPV relates to male and female homeless youths' social networks among a sample of 386 homeless youth in Los Angeles, CA. Method: Using an event-based approach to social network data collection, two large networks of youth were collected. Youth completed a self-administered questionnaire as well as an interviewer-led social network interview. IPV was measured by self-report to the question: “During the past 12 months, did your boyfriend or girlfriend ever hit, slap, or physically hurt you on purpose?” Social network variables examined youths' total number of friends (i.e., male, street-based, home-based). The sample was stratified by gender and eight separate linear regression models were created to predict the relationship of IPV with social network variables. Results: 21.3% of the sample experienced IPV in the past year. IPV was not significantly related to any measure of males' social networks. However, female homeless youth who experienced IPV had significantly more male friends. Additionally, females who witnessed family violence during childhood had more male friends, but those who experienced sexual abuse had less male friends. Conclusion: Although both genders reported equal rates of experiencing IPV, the context of this abuse are drastically different. Interventions implemented at the social network level could be effective in reducing IPV for female homeless youth.