Assessing the development of Brazilian street youth

Studies of Latin American street youth typically utilize non-standardized measures and focus on limited aspects of functioning. The current study evaluated standard measures adapted for use with street youth and examined physical, behavioral and psychological adjustment. Twenty-five male Brazilian youth aged 13-19 years (M = 16.2) were interviewed in institutions serving street youth. Psychometric analyses confirmed that the adapted measures were appropriate for the population, and descriptive analyses indicated they captured relevant aspects of respondents' experiences. Finally, there was initial support for a conceptual model linking childhood adversity, personal resources, and current life events to health outcomes. Findings have implications for researchers and practitioners working with homeless youth in Latin America.