The Influence of Familial and Peer Social Support on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Black Girls in Juvenile Correctional Facilities

Abstract

Black girls bear a higher burden of juvenile justice involvement in the United States, relative to other racial/ethnic female groups. Emerging evidence suggests that system involvement is related to trauma histories and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigated the associations between individual, family, and peer factors, and their relationship to PTSD among Black girls with juvenile justice involvement. Cross-sectional data were collected from 188 Black girls in detention. Measures assessed were history of abuse, negative peer norms, future orientation, caregiver support, self-esteem, age, and PTSD symptoms. Major regression findings indicated that higher rates of caregiver support, higher negative peer norms, lower self-esteem rates, and lower future orientation rates were correlated with greater PTSD symptoms. Treatment programs for this population warrant a multisystemic approach, which includes caregivers and peers, and bolstering important constructs such as self-esteem and hopefulness.

Racial and gender discrimination by teachers: Risks for Black girls’ depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation.

“…Moreover, this work sets the stage for future research in areas of social work, public health, and education to consider the social positioning of Black girls and identifying the risk and protective factors when examining not only Black girls lived experiences in classrooms but also in the healthcare and the criminal justice system (Quinn et al, 2021). Although the need for continued efforts in using intersectionality when examining Black girls' experiences is crucial, persistent steps through education policies are also needed to address discriminatory experiences within the school setting (Neal-Jackson, 2018).…”

Mortality and Cause of Death Among Youths Previously Incarcerated in the Juvenile Legal System

“… 38 , 39 , 40 Incarceration can exacerbate the adverse effects of these experiences, justifying a trauma-informed approach to delinquency prevention for females. 39 , 40 An intervention with demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of trauma among females involved with the justice system is the Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) program. 41 , 42 Drawing on a strengths-based model of care, TARGET promotes healthy coping skills to better manage reactions and emotions related to traumatic life events.…”

An Intersectional‐Contextual Approach to Racial Trauma Exposure Risk and Coping Among Black Youth

“…Notably, Black girls’ contact with the juvenile justice system often occurs because of their behavioral and emotional reactions to trauma, such as truancy, running away, curfew violations, and substance use (Baumle, 2018; Saar et al., 2016). Thus, girls are criminalized for their own victimization, and this sexual abuse‐to‐prison pipeline disproportionately affects Black girls who represent the fastest growing population of incarcerated youth (Crenshaw et al., 2015; Quinn et al., 2021). Further, Black girls in the juvenile justice system often fail to receive mental health services to address their trauma symptoms and instead are subject to conditions and practices that can be retraumatizing, such as strip searches and inappropriate use of restraints (Saar et al., 2016).…”