The Effects of Criminal Legal Stigma on Substance Use Among Justice-Involved Girls and the Mitigating Role of Resilience.

BACKGROUND

Over the past two decades, the proportion of girls entangled in the criminal legal system has grown markedly. While prior research has examined the adverse effects of criminal labeling, much of this work emphasizes the outcome of reoffending. In contrast, the health-related consequences of criminal records, particularly for female youth, remain critically underexplored.

METHODS

This study examined the impact of accumulated crime and delinquency records (ACDR), in conjunction with resilience factors, on substance use among girls involved in the juvenile justice system (n = 1,648). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models assessed the direct effects of ACDR at Time 1 (T1) and resilience, represented by prosocial ties at Time 2 (T2), on substance use at Time 3 (T3). Covariates included prior substance use, trauma, neglect, abuse, exposure to violence, foster care, mental health, and demographics. A second OLS model tested whether resilience moderated the relationship between T1 criminal records and T3 substance use.

RESULTS

While ACDR was significantly associated with substance use, prosocial ties significantly inhibited substance use. Moreover, prosocial ties moderated the impact of ACDR.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognizing the connection between ACDR and subsequent substance use-and the resilience factors that can interrupt this trajectory-is essential for developing effective, gender-responsive prevention and intervention programs.