Demographic Distribution of Delinquency and ADM (Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health) Problems (From Multiple Problem Youth: Delinquency, Substance Use, and Mental Health Problems, P 24-49, 1989, Delbert S Elliott, David Huizinga, et al, -- See NCJ-119536)

• NCJ Number: 119537
• Author(s): D S Elliott; D Huizinga; S Menard
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH27552; 78-JN-AX-0003; 83-IJ-CX-0063
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP); National Institute of Mental Health; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: Springer-Verlag
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Following a relevant literature review, this study presents findings from the National Youth Survey (NYS) regarding the relationships of delinquency and alcohol, drug, and mental health (ADM) problem behaviors to sex, race, social class, age, and place of residence.

Abstract

The NYS is a projected longitudinal study of delinquent behavior, alcohol and drug use, and problem-related substance use among American youth. To date, seven waves of data have been collected for the period 1976-86. The data reported in this study are limited to 1976-83. With the exception of age differences in alcohol and marijuana use between 11- and 17-year-olds, none of the relationships between demographic variables and delinquency and ADM problems are strong. Most are in the expected direction, but many fail to reach statistical significance; and most, if measured by a correlation coefficient, fail to reach substantive significance as well. Mean differences, however, tell a different story for some variables. Sex is related to offending patterns, to alcohol and drug use, and to depression and mental health service use. Regarding race, blacks tend to have as high or higher prevalence for serious offenses, and whites have as high or higher prevalence for less serious offenses and for alcohol and polydrug use. Social class is related only to the more serious offenses, with the lower class having higher prevalence. There is a weak relationship between urban residence and delinquency, alcohol and drug use, and mental health. 5 tables.