Trauma exposure, protective factors, and mental health functioning of substance-abusing and dependent juvenile offenders

This study examined the linkages of trauma exposure and protective factors with important aspects of mental health and behavioral functioning in a sam ple of youth presenting serious clinical difficulties. In general, results suggest that the effects of trauma vary considerably with the nature of the trauma. Specifically, findings indicated that, after controlling for impor tant third variable explanations, violence exposure was linked with adolesc ent criminal offending. whereas sexual abuse was linked with psychiatric co morbidity. Additionally. several of the demographic and protective factors showed significant associations with measures of criminal activity and ment al health. Implications of these findings are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.