A Qualitative Examination of the Self-Medicating Hypothesis Among Female Juvenile Offenders
Substance misuse among criminally delinquent youth has typically been described as a concurrent part of their participation in risky and delinquent behavior. Using Khantzian’s self-medication hypothesis, this article presents an alternative view by presenting qualitative data which suggests that sub...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2019
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| In: |
Women & criminal justice
Year: 2019, Volume: 29, Issue: 1, Pages: 14-31 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Keywords: |
| Summary: | Substance misuse among criminally delinquent youth has typically been described as a concurrent part of their participation in risky and delinquent behavior. Using Khantzian’s self-medication hypothesis, this article presents an alternative view by presenting qualitative data which suggests that substance misuse for female juvenile offenders may serve as self-medication for mental health problems stemming from early trauma, often at the hands of their families. Based on the narratives of 30 female juvenile offenders, this article examines the lived experiences of girls with childhood trauma and substance misuse, followed by arrest and incarceration. The paper concludes with recommendations for juvenile justice and child welfare practitioners. |
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| ISSN: | 1541-0323 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/08974454.2017.1377673 |