Linda Williams

The Role of Family Factors, Physical Abuse, and Sexual Victimization Experiences in High-Risk Youths' Alcohol and Other Drug Use and Delinquency: A Longitudinal Model

Our understanding of the adverse effects of early child physical and sexual abuse has developed to a point where there is need to elucidate the processes by which various developmental outcomes occur. Limited variability on key measures of family stress and in youths’ drug use, other delinquent behavior and abuse histories in the general population has limited theory development. Using data from an ongoing, longitudinal study of juvenile detainees, we test a developmental damage model of the relationships among the youths’ family background and problem factors, their sexual victimization and physical abuse experiences, and their substance use and delinquent behavior over time. The hypothesized model was supported by the data. Theoretical and policy implications of the results are drawn. In particular, early intervention with high-risk youths and their families is needed to address effectively their problems and troubled behavior before drug use and delinquent careers become firmly established.

Physical abuse, sexual victimization, and illicit drug use: replication of a structural analysis among a new sample of high-risk youths

Mounting evidence of serious adverse consequences of childhood physical and sexual abuse has important implications for public health officials and care providers. Given the potential impact on social policy of this area of inquiry, programmatic research is needed for the validation of theoretical models across populations and over time. This study, based on a sample of high-risk youths, replicates a structural model that specified the influence of child physical and sexual abuse on self-derogation and drug use. Results suggest that for male and female youths, physical abuse and sexual victimization had a direct effect on self-derogation and illicit drug use, and an indirect effect on drug use that was mediated by self-derogation. Moreover, structural coefficients for the model were found to be identical across gender. Subsequent analyses demonstrated the equivalence of the structural model of child physical and sexual abuse on drug use across two study cohorts. Implications for the identification and treatment of youths in high-risk groups are discussed.

A longitudinal study of the relationships among alcohol use, marijuana/hashish use, cocaine use, and emotional/psychological functioning problems in a cohort of high-risk youths

There is increasing recognition that children involved in the justice system often have serious, multiple problems in the areas of physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and alcohol/other drug use (ADM). Using data collected in a longitudinal study of detained juveniles, we test a model of the relationships of these problems. Significant over-time interrelationships are found among these problems. Research and policy implications of these important findings are drawn.

A Longitudinal Study of the Relationships among Marijuana/Hashish Use, Cocaine Use and Delinquency in a Cohort of High Risk Youths

Study of the relationship between drug use and crime over time remains an important topic in the field. Data from a longitudinal study of detained juveniles are examined to address this issue. Results indicate that self-reported delinquent behavior and alcohol use prior to initial interview are key predictors of reported delinquent behavior during the 10- to 15-month follow-up period. However, self-reported drug use and urinalysis test results (measured at initial interview), and prior delinquent behavior are significant predictors of the use of marijuana/hashish and cocaine over time. The research and policy implications of these findings are drawn.

Examination of the relationships among drug use, emotional/psychological problems, and crime among youths entering a juvenile detention center.

Urine testing and confidential interviews of youths entering a juvenile detention center in a southeastern city produced some striking results in regard to their drug use, delinquent behavior, and emotional/psychological problems. Recent users of marijuana/hashish and cocaine had higher rates of referral to juvenile court for property and drug offenses than nonusers. The results suggest that interviewing and urine testing of youthful detainees for drug use at the point of entry into secure detention is a promising method for screening youngsters with histories of delinquent behavior. Implications of these findings are drawn.

A Longitudinal Study of the Predictors of the Adverse Effects of Alcohol and Marijuana/Hashish Use among a Cohort of High Risk Youths

Data gathered from a longitudinal study of juvenile detainees in a Southeastern state are used to examine the demographic and life experience factors relating to their reported adverse effects of the use of alcohol and other drugs. The results indicate: 1) marijuana/hashish use, (2) their use of these substances tends to be a vehicle for the expression of personal difficulties in the areas of self-esteem and emotional/psychological functioning, and 3) their use of these two substances needs to be seen in holistic terms. Research and policy implications of the results are drawn.

Drug Abuse among Juvenile Detainees

Although recent surveys of youths in the general population indicate that drug use has declined, drug use among juvenile detainees remains at a high level. These youths, who are often experiencing multiple problems, are a seriously underserved population group in our society. A review of the literature, and results from an ongoing longitudinal study of juvenile detainees in Tampa, Florida, documenting their drug use and related problems, lead to the identification of five key areas for policy and program development: early intervention; quality screening and assessment; providing quality, community-based services; improving linkages between community agencies; and continuity of services. Youths entering the juvenile justice system often require repeated interventions over a protracted period, reinforced by improvements in their social, vocational, and educational skills, if their lives are to be directed in socially responsible ways. A national effort is needed to address the poignant issues presented by these youths and their families.

Examining a structural model of the relationships among alcohol use, marijuana/hashish use, their effects, and emotional and psychological problems over time in a cohort of high‐risk youths

Using data collected in a longitudinal study of detained juveniles, we test a model of the relationships among alcohol and marijuana or hashish use, reported adverse effects of the use of these substances, and emotional and psychological problems. Significant interrelationships were found among these factors over time. Degree of involvement in alcohol and marijuana or hashish use (measured either by self‐reports or both self‐reports and urine test results) was significantly related at Time 1 with the number of reported averse effects of the use of each specific substance; a similar relationship was found at Time 2 for marijuana or hashish use. In addition, emotional and psychological problems were significantly associated with reported adverse effects of the use of alcohol or marijuana or hashish at each time period. The results further indicate that youths who become more involved in the use of alcohol or marijuana or hashish over time report more adverse effects of their use of each of these substances....

Cocaine selling among urban black and white adolescent males

Data from a longitudinal study of juvenile detainees are used to examine the relationships between cocaine selling, substance use, and other delinquency among the Black and White males in the study. A descriptive comparison of rates of cocaine selling among the youths is followed by a descriptive comparison of prevalence of substance use and other delinquency across four subgroups: White and Black males indicating they sold and did not sell cocaine. These comparisons are followed by analyses of variance examining the relationships between involvement in substance use and other delinquency, and ethnicity, cocaine selling, and the interaction of ethnicity and cocaine selling. Important ethnicity and cocaine-selling effects are found, but not ethnicity by cocaine-selling interactions. The implications of our findings for theory and service provision are drawn.