Mental Health, Substance Use, Trauma Exposure, and Experiences of Discrimination Among Caregivers of Youth With Juvenile Legal System Involvement

J Marital Fam Ther. 2025 Apr;51(2):e70023. doi: 10.1111/jmft.70023.

ABSTRACT

Family-focused interventions for youth with juvenile legal system involvement place emphasis on improving caregiver wellbeing. However, there is limited work to date characterizing the prevalence and determinants of behavioral health concerns among these caregivers. The present study sought to examine among 100 caregivers of youth with juvenile legal system involvement: (a) rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cannabis and alcohol use; (b) frequency of exposure to traumatic events and discrimination; and (c) the association between experiences of traumatic events and discrimination and behavioral health concerns. The results indicated a variety of behavioral health concerns were experienced by caregivers, with an alarming number of caregivers having been exposed to traumatic events and discrimination. Discrimination was most frequently associated with mental health concerns. Our findings indicated that family-based interventions targeting youth with juvenile legal system involvement should continue to focus on caregiver wellbeing and emphasize reducing the impact of experiences of discrimination.

PMID:40296221 | DOI:10.1111/jmft.70023