A structural model examining the relationship between physical child abuse, sexual victimization, and marijuana/hashish use in delinquent youth: a longitudinal study.

A structural model of the relationships among physical abuse and sexual victimization experiences, marijuana/hashish use (measured by self-report and urine test data) and self-reported delinquent behavior (theft crimes, index offenses, crimes against persons, drug sales and total delinquency) over time was tested in a longitudinal study of juvenile detainees. The hypothesized model was supported by the data. Theoretical, research and policy implications of the results are drawn.