Familial Characteristics of Street Children in Tehran, Iran

authors:

avatar Hamid Reza Ahmad Khaniha 1 , avatar Mitra Hakim Shooshtari 2 , * , avatar Mehrdad Mohammadian 3 , avatar Reza Bidaki 4 , avatar Ahmad Pourrashidi Boshrabad 5

* Associate Professor, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Tehran Institute of Psychiatry- Tehran Mental Health Research Center, Tehran, Iran
Assistant Professor, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Medical Student, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: Vol.8, issue 2; 86-9
published online: June 30, 2014
article type: Original Article
received: March 18, 2013
revised: November 07, 2013
accepted: March 21, 2014

how to cite: Ahmad Khaniha H R, Hakim Shooshtari M, Mohammadian M, Bidaki R, Pourrashidi Boshrabad A. Familial Characteristics of Street Children in Tehran, Iran. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2014;8(2): 86-9. 

Abstract

Objective: The phenomenon of street children is one of the most important concerns facing global community. Identifying risk factors in such children could lead to crucial investigations to find their essential needs by intervention programs. The present study examined the family profile of street children in Tehran, Iran.
Methods: The sample consisted of 584 street children who were evaluated by 15 examiners. Using multistage sampling, twenty-seven different areas of Tehran were divided into 5 clusters and the children were selected randomly from each cluster. The two questionnaires applied included a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire about high-risk behaviors such as substance use, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, etc.
Results: There was a statistical significant association between the length of work time and two variables: sex and economic status of family (p < 0.05). Incarceration history of street children who had lost both their parents and their parents had been divorced was significantly higher than others (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The street children's lifestyle is a risk factor for affecting them to variety types of socio-mental problems. Statistical significant association between parental divorces or the loss of both parents with a history of conviction mentions the important role of parents in transmitting moral and social values to children.
Declaration of interest: None.
Citation: Ahmad Khaniha HR, Hakim Shooshtari M, Mohammadian M, Bidaki R, Pourrashidi Boshrabadi A. Familial characteristics of street children in Tehran, Iran. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci 2014; 8(2): 86-9.

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