Substance use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology on behavioral outcomes among juvenile justice youth

Abstract

Background. Substance use behaviors have been identified as a risk factor that places juveniles at greater risk for engaging in delinquent behaviors and continual contact with the juvenile justice system. Currently, there is lack of research that explores comorbid factors associated with substance use, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, that could help identify youth who are at greatest risk. The aim of the present study was to examine if PTSD symptomology moderated the relationship between substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms and externalizing behaviors and commission of a violent crime; hypothesizing that risk would be heightened among youth with elevated SUD and PTSD symptomology compared to those with elevated SUD symptoms but lower PTSD symptoms. Method. The study included 194 predominantly male (78.4%), non-White (74.2%) juvenile justice youth between the ages of 9–18 (M=15.36). Youth provided responses to assess PTSD symptoms, SUD symptoms, and externalizing behaviors. Commission of a violent crime was based on parole officer report. Results. Findings indicated that SUD symptomology was associated with greater externalizing behaviors at high levels of PTSD symptomology. At low levels of PTSD symptomology, SUD symptoms were inversely associated with externalizing behaviors. An interactive relationship was not observed for commission of violent crimes. Discussion. Findings suggest that the association between SUD symptoms and externalizing behaviors among juvenile offenders may be best explained by the presence of PTSD symptomology. Scientific Significance. Addressing PTSD rather than SUD symptoms may be a better target for reducing risk for externalizing behaviors among this population of youth.

School racial‐ethnic discrimination, rule‐breaking behaviors and the mediating role of trauma among Latinx adolescents: Considerations for school mental health practice

“…The original PSP subscale was comprised of 14 items from multiple YSR domains (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, and thought problems). It has been shown to be a cost‐effective instrument to screen for trauma among youth (Dehon & Scheeringa, 2006) and a psychometrically valid way to operationalize trauma in prior research with adolescents (Winningham et al, 2019). The PSP demonstrates both concurrent (Wolfe et al, 1989) and predictive (You et al, 2015) validity.…”

“…Moreover, while the measure used to assess trauma (i.e., PSP) has been recognized as psychometrically valid (Winningham et al, 2019), it did not provide information about clinical cut offs for trauma-related psychiatric difficulties. Nor did it specifically assess school discrimination as a chronic event with the potential to generate trauma.…”

Restorative Justice, Desistance and Trauma-Informed Practice in the Youth Justice System

“…More recent research in this field also indicates an interlink between traumatic experiences and criminal behaviour (Moore 2022), revealing that offenders present a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (Ardino 2012;Winningham & Ors 2019;Lefebvre & Ors 2021). It also suggests that criminal conduct could be both more widespread and more extensive among mentally ill individuals (Raman & Ors 2021).…”

Full issue

“…More recent research in this field also indicates an interlink between traumatic experiences and criminal behaviour (Moore 2022), revealing that offenders present a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (Ardino 2012; Winningham & Ors 2019;Lefebvre & Ors 2021). It also suggests that criminal conduct could be both more widespread and more extensive among mentally ill individuals (Raman & Ors 2021).…”