Longitudinal Associations between a Health Risk Factor and Juvenile
Justice Placement among Persistent Juvenile Offenders
Abstract
Little is known about longitudinal health risks and justice involvement
among juvenile justice system (JJS) populations. This study used a
sample of n = 388 males involved in the JJS to examined longitudinal
associations of a latent health risk factor, comprised of depression,
marijuana use, and sexually transmitted infections, with post-JJS
placement. Results indicate the health risk factor was relatively stable
over three time points of JJS entry and associated with present and
future JJS placement. Youths who were Hispanic, older, or living with a
family member struggling with alcohol use had higher health risk. These
findings underscore the need for JJS services that address health risks
among persistent juvenile offenders, with consideration of cultural and
family dynamics.