Understanding Abuse, Mental Health, and Substance Use: The Role of Victimization in a Jail Population

The role of victimization in criminal behavior has been researched previously, particularly in justice-involved youth and prison samples. The contribution of such adversity in jail samples is less articulated. The current study examines the effect of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and polyvictimizati...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Kowalski, M. A. (Author) ; Campagna, M. (Author) ; Wright, E. M. (Author) ; Spohn, R. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2023
In: American journal of criminal justice
Year: 2023, Volume: 48, Issue: 6, Pages: 1320-1342
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
Gender-specific
Behavioral health
Mental Health
Polyvictimization
Sexual Abuse
Physical Abuse
Description
Summary:The role of victimization in criminal behavior has been researched previously, particularly in justice-involved youth and prison samples. The contribution of such adversity in jail samples is less articulated. The current study examines the effect of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and polyvictimization (physical and sexual abuse) on behavioral health and substance use outcomes in a sample of individuals who went through the intake process at one jail. Through use of logistic regression models, we examined the impact of abuse on internalizing mental health issues, externalizing mental health issues, and substance use disorder. Findings demonstrated relationships between abuse and internalizing disorders, abuse and externalizing disorders, as well as between abuse and substance use disorder, with the effect of sexual abuse greater for women and the impact of polyvictimization larger for men. Policy implications are discussed.
ISSN:1936-1351
DOI:10.1007/s12103-023-09744-6