NCJ Number
227918
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 274-301
Date Published
July 2009
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined a parallel-process, latent growth model of cocaine use and delinquent behavior among justice-involved adolescents.
Abstract
Results of the analysis of cocaine use and delinquency parallel-process model highlighted that these phenomena were mutually related experiences over time. A significant positive relationship was found between cocaine trend and delinquency trend. As the rate of change in cocaine use increased, a corresponding change occurred in engaging in delinquent behavior. The results of this study underscore the need for innovative, holistic, and community-based interventions for youth using and/or abusing illicit drugs, and who are involved in delinquent behavior, as well as their families and peers. One of the better established findings in the study of deviant behavior was the positive relationship between criminal behavior and substance use. The use of cocaine among delinquent youth was a notable concern. This study assessed joint growth in delinquency and drug use, specifically cocaine, over time. The results offer important insights into the developmental patterns of deviant behavior, and increase the understanding of the relationship between delinquency and serious drug use. The study assessed the relationship between those levels and trends in the respective models to determine whether a youth's starting point was associated with their growth in that behavior. Data were drawn from the Youth Support Project, a longitudinal study. The study sample was comprised of youths arrested and processed at the Hillsborough County (Florida) Juvenile Assessment Center. Figure, tables, appendixes, and references