205244 Mental health correlates of dating violence among young women involved with a juvenile justice system

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Aliya Buttar, BA, BS , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Kristen Clements-Nolle, PhD, MPH , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Lindsey C. Gray , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Sandra Noffsinger , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Rachael McGarrah , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Terri-Lee Hedman, BA , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Joseph Haas, PhD , Department of Mental Health, Washoe County Department of Juvenile Services, Reno, NV
Judy Fisher , Department of Mental Health, Washoe County Department of Juvenile Services, Reno, NV
  
BACKGROUND: Little is known about potential mental health consequences of physical and sexual dating violence among young women who are involved with the juvenile justice system.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and mental health correlates of physical and sexual dating violence among among young women (13-17 years) who received sanctions to juvenile probation (with or without detainment).

METHODS: A sample of 160 females involved with a juvenile justice system in Nevada completed an audio-computer-assisted-self-interview (ACASI). Standardized measures of dating violence, substance use risk, suicidal behavior, self esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and emotional distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18) were assessed.

RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of participants experienced physical dating violence and 25% had been forced to have sex by an intimate partner (sexual dating violence). Physical dating violence was not a strong predictor of negative mental health consequences in this sample; however, young women who experienced sexual dating violence were significantly more likely to report: low self-esteem (p<.001), psychological distress (p<.001), using alcohol or drugs to feel better about themselves (p<.001), using alcohol or drugs alone (p<.001), seeking medical assistance for a drug overdose (p=.01), suicide ideation (p=.02), and attempting suicide (p=.03) compared to young women who never experienced sexual dating violence.

DISCUSSION: : Dating violence is highly prevalent among young women involved in the juvenile justice system and we found a strong relationship between sexual violence and negative mental health outcomes. Interventions in juvenile justice settings should focus on screening for dating violence and providing appropriate mental health services.

Learning Objectives:
1) Discuss the negative health consequences of dating violence among girls in the juvenile justice system. 2) Describe potential interventions for girls in the juvenile justice system who have experienced dating violence. 3) Understand the importance of providing appropriate services to this at-risk population.

Keywords: Adolescents, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a graduate assistant and candidate for a Masters in Public Health, I have been interviewing study participants.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Mental Health Poster Session V
See more of: Mental Health