The Behavioral Health Needs of First-Time Offending Justice-Involved Youth: Substance Use, Sexual Risk, and Mental Health

Abstract

This study examines substance use, emotional/behavioral symptoms, and sexual risk among first-time offending, court-involved, non-incarcerated (FTO-CINI) youth. Youth and caregivers (n = 423) completed tablet-based assessments. By the time of first justice contact (average 14.5-years-old), 49% used substances, 40% were sexually active and 33% reported both. Youth with co-occurring substance use and sexual risk had more emotional/behavioral symptoms; youth with delinquent offenses and females had greater co-occurring risk. Time of first offense is a critical period to intervene upon high rates of mental health need for those with co-occurring substance use and sexual risk to prevent poor health and legal outcomes.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• HIV/STIs
• juvenile justice
• mental health
• sexual risk
• substance use

Note

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their gratitude to the adolescents and families who participated in this study as well as to the collaborating court system, staff and stakeholders who supported successful study implementation.

Notes

1 The original subscale includes 24 items. Due to an error in ACASI development, item 24 of the NYS general delinquency scale, “Have you had sexual intercourse with a person who was not your serious partner when involved in a relationship?” was not administered to study participants; therefore, subscale scores range from 1-23 but still accurately indicate that greater scores represent greater number of delinquent acts.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse [R01DA034538 (Dr. Tolou-Shams) and R25DA037190 (Dr. Dauria)] and National Institute of Mental Health [K23MH111606 (Dr. Kemp)]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health or National Institute of Health.