PSYCHOSOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME IN THE GROUP OF ADOLESCENTS UNDERGOING PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN THE COURT PROCEEDINGS

Abstract

The article presents the analysis of social and psychological functioning of young people who run away from home. The aim of this analysis was deeper understanding of this phenomenon in the group of young Polish people undergoing psychological court assessment. Runs away from home are mentioned among the factors increasing the risk of persistence of behavioral disorders, and their consequences include negative emotional experiences, personality development disorders, contact with the environment of socially maladjusted people, becoming addicted to psychoactive substances, exposure to violence, etc. The study involved a group of 151 young people subjected to forensic psychological assessment at the age from 11 to 18 years (M = 15.42, SD = 1.36), with n = 94 (62,3%) girls, and n = 57 (37,7%) boys. The analysis of the psychosocial characteristic was carried out taking into account the gender and age of the respondents in the area of symptoms of social maladjustment, social relations, characteristics of the family environment, including exposure to violence. The results indicate the existence of a number of interesting relationships and multi-factor conditioning of escapes from home. The factors controlled in the study may form the basis for the formulation of preventive programs targeting young people particularly at risk of running away.