Disability status, victimization, and substance use among justice-involved youth

Abstract

Studies consistently show that justice-involved youth experience significantly higher levels of victimization than their non-involved peers. While coping with victimization is challenging on its own, many of these youth must do so while also managing a disability. Drawing on general strain theory, this study examines how disability status shapes victimization among justice-involved youth. Using ten years of data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, findings indicate that youth with neurological, behavioral, learning/intellectual, or multiple disabilities report significantly higher levels of victimization and negative emotions than those without disabilities. Although both groups cope with victimization through substance use, youth with disabilities report a greater accumulation of victimization experiences and higher levels of negative emotions, particularly those with neurological or multiple disabilities. Overall, disability status appears to shape important pathways linking victimization, emotional distress, and substance use, underscoring the need for policies related to risk assessment, reentry, and substance use to better address the needs of justice-involved youth with disabilities.