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The Behavioral Health Needs of First-Time Offending Justice-Involved Youth: Substance Use, Sexual Risk, and Mental Health
- Tolou-Shams, Marina;
- Brown, Larry K;
- Marshall, Brandon DL;
- Dauria, Emily;
- Koinis-Mitchell, Daphne;
- Kemp, Kathleen;
- Poindexter, Brittney
Published Web Location
https://doi.org/10.1080/1067828x.2020.1774023Abstract
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 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.
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