Psychiatric Problems and Trauma Exposure in Nondetained Delinquent and Nondelinquent Adolescents

Abstract

Objective This study examined the prevalence of and associations between specific psychiatric disorders, substance use problems, and trauma exposure in a sample of delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents. Method A nationally representative sample of adolescents (n = 3,614; mean age = 14.5 years, SD = 1.7; 51% male; 71% White, non-Hispanic, 13.3% African American, non-Hispanic, 10.7% Hispanic) was interviewed via telephone about engagement in delinquent acts and their experience of posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode, substance use, interpersonal violence, and other forms of trauma exposure. Results Delinquent adolescents were more likely than non-delinquent adolescents to experience trauma; they were also more likely to report past-year posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode, alcohol abuse, and non-experimental drug use. After accounting for the effects of demographics and trauma exposure, delinquency was associated with increased likelihood of posttraumatic stress disorder and problematic substance use in both genders and increased likelihood of major depressive episode in girls. Conclusions Findings highlight substantial overlap among delinquency, trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive episode in adolescents and the need for interventions that address these varied clinical problems. Future work should examine the factors underlying the development of these relations over time.

Depressive Symptoms and Their Association With Adverse Environmental Factors and Substance Use in Runaway and Homeless Youths

“…() also found that adolescents who had been physically assaulted were 2.2 times more likely to experience a major depressive episode as adolescents who had no exposure to such a traumatic stressor. In another study of adolescents, lifetime exposure to parental and community violence and other traumatic events significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing a major depressive episode by an estimated factor of 4.5 and 1.4, respectively (Adams et al., ).…”

Use of prescription drugs and future delinquency among adolescent offenders

“…A wealth of research documents the association between illicit drug use and increased risk of general and aggressive delinquency among adolescents (Adams et al, 2013;Barnes, Welte, & Hoffman, 2002;Doran, Luczak, Bekman, Koutsenok, & Brown, 2012;Ford, 2008;Mason & Windle, 2002). Substance use has been associated with continuity in offending, decreased likelihood of desistance, and increased risk of reoffending; it also distinguished high level chronic offenders from less severe offender groups (Mulvey, Schubert, & Chassin, 2010;Schubert, Mulvey, & Glasheen, 2011).…”

“…Substance use has been associated with continuity in offending, decreased likelihood of desistance, and increased risk of reoffending; it also distinguished high level chronic offenders from less severe offender groups (Mulvey, Schubert, & Chassin, 2010;Schubert, Mulvey, & Glasheen, 2011). While comparatively more limited than the general literature, there is some evidence that links NMUPD specifically with delinquency in adolescents (Adams et al, 2013;Boyd et al, 2009;Catalano et al, 2011;Sung, Richter, Vaughan, Johnson, & Thom, 2005). One of the few studies focusing on NMUPD and delinquency is Ford's (2008) analysis of the connection between NMUPD and delinquency in the community sample of the 2005 NSDUH.…”

Interpersonal trauma and mental health problems of male and female antisocial adolescents treated in a forensic outpatient setting

“…The gender difference in sexual abuse is one of the most robust findings in studies on traumatic experiences (e. g., Abram et al, 2004;Kerig et al, 2009;McCabe et al, 2002). Also, adolescent female offenders more often have developed mental health problems, internalizing problems and disorders in particular, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD than their male counterparts (e.g., Adams et al, 2013;Cauffman et al, 2007;Chitsabesan et al, 2006;Van Damme et al, 2016;Wasserman et al, 2005). Gender differences in PTSD in particular are large (Kerig, Vanderzee, Becker, & Ward, 2012).…”

“…Gender differences in PTSD in particular are large (Kerig, Vanderzee, Becker, & Ward, 2012). For example, PTSD is more common among incarcerated adolescent females (23-45%) than among adolescent males (9-26%; Abram et al, 2004, Adams et al, 2013Kerig et al, 2009;Robertson, Dill, Husain, & Undesser, 2004;Steiner, Garcia, & Matthews, 1997).…”