Examining the experiences of justice-involved youth with mental health and substance use needs

Squires, Laura Elizabeth (2022) Examining the experiences of justice-involved youth with mental health and substance use needs. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Awareness surrounding the impact of psychological/mental health and substance use needs among young people involved in the justice system has increased in recent years. The life trajectories of youth who have justice system involvement are plagued with inequality created by various structural and social factors. Of these, mental health and substance use are among the most commonly reported. Youth who experience potentially traumatic events and are exposed to adverse events early in life, particularly childhood, have been found to experience greater psychological/mental health and substance use needs, and increased justice system involvement (Felitti et al., 1998, 2002; Abram et al, 2004; Baglivio et al., 2014, 2020). The present study relied on data from the case files of 192 youth probationers from Western Canada who were classified as “serious/violent”, to explore their mental health and substance use behaviours. Findings are discussed with regard to how justice-involved youth with “high/specialized” mental health and/or substance use needs specifically, have unique experiences of mental health and substance use compared to other justice-involved youth. Results demonstrate the importance of examining how trauma and adverse experiences in early childhood and youth affect specific psychological responses/health-related issues and higher-level substance use.

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