Investigators

Dr Steven Roche, Dr Justin Barker, with support from Associate Professor Tim Moore, Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur, Dr Debbie Noble-Carr, Professor Daryl Higgins, Sam Morley, Dr Chloe Gordon (Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University).

Funding

Melbourne City Mission

Aims

• Understand contemporary social and cultural factors contributing to family conflict and youth homelessness.
• Identify the types of family conflict leading to youth homelessness.
• Develop insights to inform improvements in youth homelessness intervention programs.

Background

Youth homelessness in Australia is often triggered by family conflict, a critical yet under-researched factor in young people leaving home. While international literature confirms this link, insights on family dynamics and their role in homelessness are limited.

This research, commissioned by Melbourne City Mission and conducted by the Institute of Child Protection Studies (ICPS), explored how family conflict manifests in families with youth at risk of homelessness. Through focus groups and a literature review, the study aimed to deepen understanding and improve responses in youth homelessness services. It developed models for policy and practice to achieve those aims.

Project details

The project involved a number of stakeholders, including Melbourne City Mission staff, young people, parents, carers and ICPS research team.

Method

• Literature review on family conflict and youth homelessness
• Seven focus groups: three with young people, three with parents/guardians, and one with Melbourne City Mission staff
• Analysis of participant experiences, family dynamics, and service interactions.

Findings

• Identified 'overt and situational' vs. 'latent and ongoing' types of family conflict
• Developed a model categorising conflict sources at micro (individual), meso (familial), and macro (socio-cultural) levels
• Recommendations for early interventions targeting family conflict in homelessness prevention parents.

Projected community impact

Possible end-users of the findings are policy developers, youth services, social workers, family support services. Adoption of the recommended could enhance family-focused intervention models and improve youth homelessness services with a focus on addressing family conflict.

Long-term benefits could include reduced rates of youth homelessness, and strengthened family support structures for at-risk youth.

Publications

Roche, S. & Barker, J. (2017). Youth Homelessness and Its Relationship with Family Conflict: Models for Policy and Practice. Melbourne: ICPS, ACU, and Melbourne City Mission.

Project timeline

Completed 2017

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au