An Exploratory Structural Equation Model of Stress-Related Experiences Among Justice-Involved Youth: A Gender Comparison

• Author: Julie M. Krupa,Jessica Faber,Jennifer Cristiano,Richard Dembo,Jennifer Wareham,James Schmeidler,Ralph J. Diclemente,Asha Terminello
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854819887991
• Published date: 01 February 2020
• Date: 01 February 2020
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2020, Vol. 47, No. 2, February 2020, 127 –144.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854819887991

Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions

© 2019 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

127

AN EXPLORATORY STRUCTURAL EQUATION

MODEL OF STRESS-RELATED EXPERIENCES

AMONG JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH

A Gender Comparison

RICHARD DEMBO

University of South Florida

JULIE M. KRUPA

Michigan State University

JENNIFER WAREHAM

Wayne State University

JESSICA FABER

JENNIFER CRISTIANO

Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc.

RALPH J. DICLEMENTE

New York University

ASHA TERMINELLO

Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc.

JAMES SCHMEIDLER

Mt. Sinai Medical Center

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system demonstrate greater risk of exposure to negative life experiences. The present

study explores the prevalence of three stress-related experiences (sexual assault victimization, bullying/victimization, and

minority sexual orientation) among newly arrested adolescents. Gender (biological sex) differences were examined as well

as associations with sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, substance use, and sexually transmitted infec-

tion (STI). Factor analyses found a single factor of stress for both genders. Prevalence rates for bullying/victimization, sexual

assault victimization, and sexual minority status were higher for girls than boys. Girls were also more likely than boys to test

positive for STIs and experience depressive symptoms, while boys were more likely than girls to test positive for marijuana

use. Depression and drug-related problems were associated with the stress construct for girls only. Bivariate comparisons

with the three stress measures and sociodemographic characteristics indicated age and race effects. Implications are dis-

cussed.

Keywords: stress; gender differences; sexual assault; depression; substance use; juvenile delinquency

AUTHORS’ NOTE: We are grateful for the support of the Florida Department of Children and Families and

the Central Florida Behavioral Care Network. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

Richard Dembo, Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., SOC 107,

Tampa, FL 33620; e-mail: rdembo@usf.edu.

887991CJBXXX10.1177/0093854819887991Criminal Justice and BehaviorDembo et al. / Justice-Involved Stress Experiences

research-article2019

128 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR

INTRODUCTION

Justice-involved youth represent a population that has demonstrated increased exposure to

stressful life events and vulnerability to mental health, substance use, and victimization

problems. Stressful life events and vulnerabilities have been shown to vary by gender.

Therefore, it is important to examine these negative experiences within a gendered context.

The present study examined gender differences in a latent factor of stress-related life events

(sexual orientation status, sexual assault victimization, and bully/victim experiences) and

its association with negative outcomes of substance use, depression, and sexually transmit-

ted infection (STI) among a sample of justice-involved adolescents. Prior to a discussion of

the findings and implications, a review of pertinent literature is described.

A broad body of literature hypothesizes that stressful life events are associated with

negative consequences such as mental health problems, substance use, and involvement

with the justice system. From a general population perspective, theories have linked stress-

ful life events with negative consequences. For example, Agnew’s (1992) general strain

theory was derived from the psychological literature on stress. It asserts that stressful events,

or strains, lead to negative emotional responses, which can increase the likelihood of a

criminogenic response if appropriate coping mechanisms are lacking in the individual. A

large body of literature has supported general strain theory (e.g., Agnew & White, 1992;

Craig et al., 2017; Hay & Evans, 2006; Piquero & Sealock, 2004). More recently, general

strain theory has demonstrated promise for explaining how stressful factors (e.g., school

victimization) lead to delinquent behavior (e.g., substance use, weapon carrying), particu-

larly among sexual minority youth (Button, 2016; Button & Worthen, 2014, 2017). Sexual

minority youth (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning [LGBTQ])

represent a subpopulation with characteristics that may place them at greater risk of experi-

encing certain types of stress/strain, some of which may be more criminogenic. Yet, few

studies of justice-involved youth include measures of sexual minority status. The present

study contributes to the literature by examining sexual minority status among a sample of

justice-involved youth, along with other stressors and negative outcomes.

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ASSAULT

On average, girls are at greater risk of childhood sexual assault victimization. An estimated

one in seven girls and one in 25 boys have been sexually victimized prior to age 18

(Townsend & Rheingold, 2013). Other studies find as much as 50% of girls and 25% of

boys in middle and high schools report being sexually assaulted (Young et al., 2009).

National crime statistics indicate that juveniles comprise two thirds of the victims of sex

crimes (Finkelhor & Shattuck, 2012), and that the younger the child, the greater the odds,

and the abuser is a family member (Snyder, 2000).

Childhood sexual assault is a stressful life event that is associated with a variety of nega-

tive consequences, such as depression (e.g., Boney-McCoy & Finkelhor, 1996; Gover,

2004; Meyerson et al., 2002; Schraedley et al., 1999; H. A. Turner et al., 2006), delinquent

and criminal behavior (e.g., Gault-Sherman et al., 2009; McCormack et al., 1986; Widom,

1989; see McGrath et al., 2011, for review), risky sexual behaviors (e.g., L. K. Brown et al.,

2000; Fergusson et al., 1997; Johnson et al., 2006; Widom, 1989), peer victimization (e.g.,

Benedini et al., 2016), and substance use/abuse (L. K. Brown et al., 2000; Johnson et al.,

2006; Meyerson et al., 2002). Research on gender differences in negative consequences of