Predictors of cannabis use among first-time justice-involved youth: A cohort study

Abstract

Background: Justice-involved youth use cannabis at higher rates than their same-aged peers increasing likelihood of adverse behavioral health consequences and continued legal involvement. This study examined individual level predictors of early onset use cannabis use (<13 years of age) and cannabis use initiation in the 12 months following first court contact. Methods: Participants were 391 first-time justice-involved youth (56.9 % male; M age = 14.6 years; 32.1 % White, 11.1 % Black, 14.7 % Other/Multi-racial, 42.2 % Latinx) and an involved caregiver (87.2 % female; M age = 41.0 years). Baseline assessments captured individual level factors; cannabis use was assessed every four months post-baseline for 12 months. Primary analyses involved multivariable modified Poisson regressions and survival analysis. Results: In multivariable models, youth who reported lifetime cannabis use (n = 188, 48.1 %) were older, reported alcohol use and positive cannabis use expectancies. Greater self-control and self-concept were associated with lower likelihood of lifetime cannabis use. Youth who initiated cannabis during the 12-month follow-up (n = 30, 14.8 %) tended to be older, White/non-Latinx, and to report more psychiatric symptoms (posttraumatic stress, externalizing, internalizing, and affect dysregulation), delinquent behavior, lower levels of self-control, poorer self-concept, greater drug use intentions and positive cannabis expectancies. In the multivariable survival analysis, affect dysregulation, internalizing symptoms, and more positive cannabis expectancies remained independently and positively associated with cannabis initiation. Conclusions: There is a critical and unique window of opportunity to prevent cannabis use initiation among first-time justice-involved youth. Research is needed to determine whether brief interventions that aim to modify expectancies about cannabis use reduce rates of cannabis initiation in this underserved population.

The Role of Family Factors in the Outcomes of Court-Involved Youth

“…We specifically included psychiatric symptoms and substance use, in addition to demographic variables, in our statistical analyses and models as above in order to account for the fact that these participants were all mandated to mental health treatment. Furthermore, we also wanted to recognize for the high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and substance use in CIY populations and the potential impacts of these factors on youth behavior (Winkelman et al, 2017; Perry and Morris, 2014; Teplin et al, 2003; Shufelt and Cocozza, 2006; Castrucci and Martin, 2002; Teplin et al, 2005; Tolou-Shams et al, 2021; Brown et al, 2012; Haney-Caron et al, 2019; Barrett et al, 2014). All analyses were done with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26 (IBM Corp., 2019).…”

“…In addition, CIY have been shown to have an elevated risk of suicide (Coffey et al, 2003; Barnert et al, 2016; Morris et al, 1995; Kemp et al, 2016). Furthermore, in studies involving CIY, approximately 50% or more of participants endorsed engaging in substance use (Castrucci and Martin, 2002; Teplin et al, 2003; Teplin et al, 2005; Tolou-Shams et al, 2021) with cannabis being one of the most common (Morris et al, 1995; Tolou-Shams et al, 2021). Psychiatric symptoms, including difficulties with affect regulation (Brown et al, 2012), externalizing symptoms (Haney-Caron et al, 2019), and aggressive disorders (Barrett et al, 2014), have also been associated with risky and delinquent behaviors.…”

Leveraging Technology to Increase Behavioral Health Services Access for Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems: a Cross-systems Collaboration Model

“…The TCAT can also be used to monitor and evaluate the impact of organizational capacity building over time. JTC stakeholders broadened the application of the TCAT framework to (1) incorporate any technology-based interventions and not just telehealth (e.g., text messaging, digital health mobile apps) and (2) expand TCAT data collection to other systems beyond behavioral health to examine technology services readiness and capacity within and across multiple JTC systems and organizations (e.g., courts, child welfare, probation). A TCAT Capacity Strengthening Plan is dynamic and intended to be iteratively revised according to plan progress.…”

“…1 Of the 50% not using cannabis at first contact, 18% initiate cannabis use within the subsequent 12 months. 2 Experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as parental incarceration, domestic violence exposure, and abuse, is also common by first system contact, and abuse ACEs predict alcohol use and posttraumatic stress symptoms 12 months after initial court contact. 3 Yet surprisingly, only 8-16% of youth with legal system contact receive behavioral health services.…”

Readiness to change among justice-involved young adults in an alternative sentencing program who screened positive for alcohol or drug risk

“…There is substantial prevalence of substance use disorder among frequently incarcerated justice-involved young adults (JIYA) ( Chan et al, 2020 ). Few interventions target JIYA and there is a lack of research that can provide information on how to tailor interventions to them ( Elkington et al, 2020 , McMurran, 2009 , Pederson et al, 2021 , Prendergast et al, 2017 , Tolou-Shams et al, 2021 ).…”