Exploring the Association Between Contacts with the Criminal Justice System and Mental Health Symptoms in Youths

• In Event: Mental Health Consequences of Criminal Legal System Contact Over the Life Course

Abstract

Research has indicated that contacts with the criminal justice system have detrimental consequences for health and well-being. A growing area of research explores how different contacts with the criminal justice system may impact mental health symptoms. The current project uses a longitudinal sample of high-risk youth to explore how different types of contact with the criminal justice system including arrest, court appearance, and institutionalization are associated with mental health symptoms. Specifically, we examine anxiety, depression, hostility and psychoticism symptoms reported by participants over 11 waves of data. Longitudinal within-individual analyses were performed. The findings from this project and implications for future criminological research and practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Raquel Velez Oliveira, Augusta University

• Elizabeth Culatta, Augusta University