Angela A. Robertson

Prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse disorders among incarcerated juvenile offenders in Mississippi.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among incarcerated juveniles in Mississippi was examined. A total of 482 adolescents completed a diagnostic questionnaire and a subset (N = 317) was assessed with face-to-face semi-structured interview. Most of the study participants met criteria for one mental disorder, 71–85% depending on assessment method, one-third have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Gender and placement site differences in rates of some psychiatric disorders were also noted. Routine mental health screening should be performed on all juveniles placed in secure detention facilities to identify those who need treatment services.

Predictors of infection with Chlamydia or gonorrhea in incarcerated adolescents.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence, multiple correlates, and gender differences in chlamydia and gonorrhea infections among adolescents, aged 13 to 18, incarcerated in a youth detention center in the southern region of the United States. Goal: The goal of this study was to identify factors associated with juvenile offenders’ sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk that may guide the development of interventions specifically tailored for this population. Study: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey. Results: Rates of undiagnosed chlamydia were 24.7% for incarcerated girls and 8.1% for boys. Gonorrhea was detected in 7.3% of the girls and 1.5% of the boys. Predictors of STD positivity differed for boys and girls. Demographic characteristics (gender, race, and age) account for 52% of the total variance in STD infections; youths’ behavior accounts for approximately one third of the total variance, and psychologic and family variables account for 8.6% and 7.2% of the total variance, respectively. Conclusions: An approach that considers psychologic and social influences on adolescent sexual behavior is useful for identifying potential risk and protective factors of adolescent STD/HIV risk that are amenable to intervention.

A Short-Run Cost-Benefit Analysis of Community-Based Interventions for Juvenile Offenders:

Recent empirical research indicates that for juvenile offenders various community-based intervention techniques result in significantly greater positive effects when compared to more traditional approaches. This article presents a cost-benefit evaluation of two such techniques: intensive supervision and monitoring (ISM) and intensive outpatient counseling with cognitive behavioral therapy (CB). A two-equation regression model that controlled for differences in demographic characteristics, personality traits, behavior, and the home environment of the subjects was estimated. The results indicate that, relative to those on probation, participants in the CB program imposed significantly fewer costs on the justice system during the investigative period. No significant difference in justice system expenditures was demonstrated by the ISM group. Comparing the reduced costs of the CB program to the marginal cost of administering the program revealed a net saving of

Gasoline prices and their relationship to drunk-driving crashes

1,435 in justice system expenditures per youth offender served for the sample period.

CHILD VICTIMIZATION AND PARENTAL MONITORING AS MEDIATORS OF YOUTH PROBLEM BEHAVIORS

This study investigates the relationship between changing gasoline prices and drunk-driving crashes. Specifically, we examine the effects of gasoline prices on drunk-driving crashes in Mississippi by several crash types and demographic groups at the monthly level from 2004 to 2008, a period experiencing great fluctuation in gasoline prices. An exploratory visualization by graphs shows that higher gasoline prices are generally associated with fewer drunk-driving crashes. Higher gasoline prices depress drunk-driving crashes among young and adult drivers, among male and female drivers, and among white and black drivers. Results from negative binomial regression models show that when gas prices are higher, there are fewer drunk-driving crashes, particularly among property-damage-only crashes. When alcohol consumption levels are higher, there are more drunk-driving crashes, particularly fatal and injury crashes. The effects of gasoline prices and alcohol consumption are stronger on drunk-driving crashes than on all crashes. The findings do not vary much across different demographic groups. Overall, gasoline prices have greater effects on less severe crashes and alcohol consumption has greater effects on more severe crashes.

The Healthy Teen Girls Project: Comparison of Health Education and STD Risk Reduction Intervention for Incarcerated Adolescent Females

This study examines the effects of family characteristics, parental monitoring, and victimization by adults on alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse, delinquency, and risky sexual behaviors among 761 incarcerated juveniles. The majority of youth reported that other family members had substance abuse problems and criminal histories. These youth were frequently the victims of violence. Relationships between victimization, parental monitoring, and problem behaviors were examined using structural equation modeling. Monitoring was negatively related to all problem behaviors. However, type of maltreatment was related to specific problem behaviors. The effects of family substance abuse and family criminal involvement on outcomes were mediated by monitoring and maltreatment. The study underscores the need to provide family-focused and trauma-related interventions for juvenile offenders.

An evaluation of the narrowing gender gap in DUI arrests

Adolescent girls incarcerated in a state reformatory (N = 246) were recruited and assigned to an 18-session health education program or a time-equivalent HIV prevention program. Cohorts were assigned to conditions using a randomized block design separated by a washout period to reduce contamination. Post intervention, girls in the HIV risk reduction program demonstrated the acquisition of risk-reduction behavioral skills and improved condom application skill. At a follow-up assessment approximately 9 months after release from the correctional facility, girls in both conditions reported fewer unprotected sexual intercourse occasions and less sex while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The impact of remedial intervention on 3-year recidivism among first-time DUI offenders in Mississippi

Although males account for the vast majority of those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs (DUI), female DUI convictions have increased over the past two decades. In this study, we examined the ratio of males-to-females who were court-mandated between the years 1992 and 2008 to attend the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program (MASEP), a DUI intervention program in Mississippi. The data for this study came from MASEP records; the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR); the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS); the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS); and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency within the US Department of Transportation. Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) tests were used to assess the nature (i.e., convergence, divergence, or stability) of this trend and to identify predictors. The results showed that, over the 17-year period, the gender gap in DUI convictions, self-reported history of prior arrest, official drug arrests, and substance abuse treatment admissions has narrowed considerably. Results from the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models show that three factors account for increases in the proportion of women mandated to attend MASEP: self-reported arrest prior to the DUI conviction, female admissions to substance abuse treatment, and annual miles driven. Changes in both womens behavior and law enforcement practices have increased female exposure to DUI arrests and narrowed the gender gap in DUI convictions.

Adverse Events and Substance Use Among Female Adolescent Offenders: Effects of Coping and Family Support

This study examines the impact of the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program (MASEP), a court-mandated intervention program, on 3-year recidivism rates among first-time DUI offenders (i.e. those convicted of a first offense for driving under the influence of alcohol or another drug). It also examines whether a new version of the curriculum that incorporates activities to enhance motivation for change further ameliorates recidivism. Cox proportional hazard regression models are used to compare recidivism rates among DUI offenders who completed MASEP with those who did not complete or who failed to enroll in the program. Recidivism rates were also compared for MASEP participants across time periods during which curriculum revisions were introduced. The hazard of recidivism was lower for individuals who completed the program than for individuals who did not complete or did not enroll in the program. Recidivism rates were further reduced following the introduction of curriculum revisions. Attendance of court-mandated remedial intervention programs lower subsequent DUI arrests and program content is associated with lower rates.

Juvenile Justice-Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (JJ-TRIALS): A cluster randomized trial targeting system-wide improvement in substance use services

This study examined a stress-coping model for substance use among female adolescents (N == 305, 69%% African American) involved in the Mississippi juvenile justice system. Participants were interviewed in , regarding exposure to adverse and traumatic events, and they completed self-administered measures of social support from relatives, coping strategies, and questions on frequency of alcohol and other drug use. Results from nested regression models revealed that stressors are associated with drug, but not alcohol use. The use of supportive kinship ties and religion to cope were protective factors. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed.