Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms are Associated with the Frequency and Severity of Delinquency Among Detained Boys

Abstract

Trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms increasingly are recognized as risk factors for involvement with the juvenile justice system, and detained youth evidence higher rates of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to their nondetained peers. Using a sample of 83 detained boys aged 12 to 17, we tested the hypothesis that degree of PTSD symptomatology would be positively associated with arrest frequency and delinquency severity. Results indicated that 95% of participants had experienced trauma, and 20% met criteria for Full or Partial PTSD. As predicted, severity of PTSD symptoms was associated with degree of delinquency, and this effect remained present for the past year delinquency variables after controlling for the total number of traumas reported.

Acknowledgments

We extend appreciation to the families who participated in this study. We also thank the administrators and staff of the Butler County Juvenile Justice Center, including Thomas Barnes, Robert Clevenger, Devin Goodman, Jason Gundrum, and Sandra Spoerl, as well as research assistants Rebecca Ezechukwu, Zachary Shindorf, and Holli Sink.

Notes

Note: Age is calculated in years. PTSD–RI = Posttraumatic Stress Disorder–Reaction Index.

*p ≤ .05. ***p ≤ .001.

Note: For ethnicity, majority race = 1, minority race = 0. Beta weights reflect variables' coefficients in final model. PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder.

†p = .105. *p ≤ .05. **p ≤ .01.