Abstract The extent to which measures of coping
adequately capture the ways that homeless youth cope with
challenges, and the influence these coping styles have on
mental health outcomes, is largely absent from the lit-
erature. This study tests the factor structure of the Coping
Scale using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and then
investigates the relationship between coping styles and
depression using hierarchical logistic regression with data
from 201 homeless youth. Results of the EFA indicate a
3-factor structure of coping, which includes active, avoi-
dant, and social coping styles. Results of the hierarchical
logistic regression show that homeless youth who engage
in greater avoidant coping are at increased risk of meeting
criteria for major depressive disorder. Findings provide