Poster #121 - How Witnessing or Experiencing Violence Relates to Anxiety and Depression Among Adolescent Offenders

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

In juvenile detention centers, youth are more likely to experience a traumatic event: an estimated 70-90% of them have experienced trauma, which includes high rates of physical abuse or witnessing abuse (Branson et al, 2018). With these high rates, many studies focus on PTSD or other trauma-based disorders that can arise. However, other psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety may result from violence exposure and victimization. This study plans to look at the Pathways to Desistance study (Mulvey et al., 2014) to compare the rates of depression and anxiety with violence exposure either as the victim or witness among juvenile defenders (N = 1,354), who were interviewed 11 times over the span of 7 years. Measures include self-report of violence exposure both as a witness and victim, depression, and anxiety, as well as clinical depression and anxiety diagnoses and count of depression symptoms. We will examine both concurrent and prospective (6 months and 72 months later) relations between violence exposure and anxiety and depression while controlling for other relevant factors (e.g., race, sex, socioeconomic status). Results will be able to inform mental health prevention and treatment among adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system.

Authors

• Macy Turner, Bowling Green State University

• Meagan Docherty, Bowling Green State University