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Hostility, depression, and self-esteem among troubled and homeless adolescents in crisis

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Abstract

This study provides empirical evidence on feelings of hostility and depression as related to the self-esteem of troubled, abused, neglected, and homeless adolescents in crisis. Over the space of ten weeks, 27 adolescents accepted to the Emergency Shelter of the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) of St. Louis were tested using the Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. This heuristic study found evidence that suggests that the hostility, depression, and self-esteem of adolescents in crisis are unique. This study found that the adolescents in this sample have greater hostility, greater depression, and lower self-esteem, as well as significant differences in ethnicity and gender than those in other comparative studies of all three measures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Studies, School of Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis

    Bruce Edward Maxwell (Lecture and Graduate Fellow)

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  1. Bruce Edward Maxwell
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He received his master's in behavioral development from the University of Missouri—St. Louis in 1987. His research interests include individual differences, multicultural counseling, and adolescent development.

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Maxwell, B.E. Hostility, depression, and self-esteem among troubled and homeless adolescents in crisis. J Youth Adolescence 21, 139–150 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537333

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537333

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