Mental health, substance use, and offending patterns among Native American youth in juvenile detention

ABSTRACT

Research has shown that youthful offenders in the juvenile justice system report an array of substance use and emotional and other mental health needs. The current study closely examined these issues in a large national sample (n = 539) of Native American youth drawn from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement. Results demonstrated that frequent substance use was associated with the likelihood of being detained for a drug offense, while emotional and mental health needs were associated with detention for the most serious offenses. These results highlight the need for comprehensive substance use and other mental health assessments for Native American youth in the juvenile justice system.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health
• Native American youth
• substance use
• Survey of Youth in Residential Placement

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Albert M. Kopak

Albert M. Kopak specializes in research related to the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders in criminal justice settings. He also holds a faculty appointment at the rank of associate professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

Katherine Kulick

Katherine Kulick is a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.