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Justice System Involvement Among Adolescents in the Emergency Department. J Pediatr 2021 Sep;236:284-290

Date

04/04/2021

Pubmed ID

33811870

Pubmed Central ID

PMC8403109

DOI

10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.03.048

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85105252760 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   2 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess justice system involvement among adolescents in the pediatric emergency department and identify associations with risk and protective factors.

STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional, computerized survey of adolescents to assess for personal, justice system involvement, and nonhousehold justice system involvement (ie, important people outside of household). We assessed sexual behaviors, violent behaviors, substance use, school suspension/expulsion, parental supportiveness, and participant mood (score <70 indicates psychological distress). We compared differences between groups using the χ2 tests, Fisher exact tests, t tests, and performed multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: We enrolled 191 adolescents (mean age 16.1 years, 61% female). Most (68%) reported justice system involvement: personal (13%), household (42%), and nonhousehold (40%). Nearly one-half (47%) were sexually active and 50% reported school suspension/expulsion. The mean score for mood was 70.1 (SD 18); adolescents with justice system involvement had had lower mood scores (68 vs 74, P = .03) compared with those without justice system involvement. In a multivariable model, school expulsion/suspension was significantly associated with reporting any justice system involvement (OR 10.4; 95% CI 4.8-22.4).

CONCLUSIONS: We identified the pediatric emergency department as a novel location to reach adolescents at risk for poor health outcomes associated with justice system involvement. Future work should assess which health promotion interventions and supports are desired among these adolescents and families.

Author List

Dubey VP, Randell KA, Masonbrink AR, Pickett ML, Sherman AK, Ramaswamy M, Miller MK

Author

Michelle L. Pickett MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Health Promotion
Humans
Male
Substance-Related Disorders