Citation

Bender K, Postlewait AW, Thompson SJ, Springer DW. Child Welf. 2011; 90(3): 69-89.

Affiliation

University of Denver, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Child Welfare League of America)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22403901

Abstract

This study examines internalizing mental health symptoms (depression and posttraumatic stress disorder) as potential intervening factors in the relationship between maltreatment and delinquency using data from the National Survey for Child and Adolescent Well-Being (N = 1179). Significant mediating effects indicated that youth at greater risk of maltreatment experienced higher levels of internalizing symptoms that result in increased risk for delinquent behavior, although longitudinal effects were not supported. These findings highlight internalizing mental health symptoms as an important factor to address in treating victimized children at risk of future delinquency. Implications for child welfare service provision are discussed.

Language: en