Predicting Runaways upon Admission to an Adolescent Treatment Center

The case files of 43 habitual runaway and 39 nonrun-away male adolescents were examined to identify variables used to predict runaway behavior upon admission to a residential treatment facility. Discriminant analysis revealed significant differences between the runner and nonrunner groups. Runners were more likely to have a history of running away, a greater number of prior placements, a history of property crime offenses, and a history of physical abuse perpetration and victimization. Results are discussed within the context of issues involved in treatment of abuse victims that may help them overcome the need to run away from stressful situations.