Risk Factors for Running Away in Iranian Youth Girls: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background: This study explored the risk factors associated with running away behavior in Iranian youth girls. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited Ninety-five runaway youth girls, and 135 control group girls. They responded several self-report measures that assess sociodemographic characteristics, family economic status, strength of family, religious identification, life time substance use, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, self-esteem, coping styles, self-esteem, and depression. Results: Girls who came from low income families, and moderate income families had significantly higher odds to run away than girls belonged to high income families. Girls who had a history of illicit drugs use had higher odds to run away from home. Moreover, low level of family strength, and low level of religious beliefs significantly predicted running away from home. Conclusion: Findings suggest that family economic status, substance use, family relationship, and individual low level of religious beliefs appear to be key factors to understanding running away from home among Iranian adolescent girls.