Stress, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Problems in a Sample of Diversion Program Youths: An Exploratory Latent Class Analysis

• NCJ Number: 239058
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2012 Pages: 130-155
• Author(s): Richard Dembo; Rhissa Briones; Laura Gulledge; Lora Karas; Ken C. Winters; Steven Belenko; Paul E. Greenbaum
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): R21 DA020542
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined mental health and substance abuse issues among youths involved with the justice system.

Abstract

Reflective of interest in mental health and substance abuse issues among youths involved with the justice system, the authors performed a latent class analysis on baseline information collected on 100 youths involved in 2 diversion programs. Results identified two groups of youths: Group 1: a majority of the youths, who had high levels of delinquency, mental health, and substance abuse issues; and Group 2: youths with low levels of these problems. Comparison of these two groups on a variety of psychosocial measures and parent/guardian reports found differences between them that were consistent with their problem group classification. Follow-up analysis confirmed problem behavior that was consistent with the youths' latent class placement. Implications of the findings for research and practice are presented. (Published Abstract)