Nevada Center for Juvenile Justice Innovation: Trauma Matters: Racialized Gender Differences

Trauma Matters: Racialized Gender Differences in Mental Health Service Use, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Recidivism Among Justice‑Involved African American Youth with guest Abigail Williams-Butler.

Abigail Williams-Butler of Rutgers University joins the podcast to share the findings from her recent paper “Racialized Gender Differences in Mental Health Service Use, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Recidivism Among Justice‑Involved African American Youth.” We discuss the importance of studying within-group differences, the need for culturally specific gender-responsive programming, and Williams-Butler’s critical message that “trauma matters.”

Paper Abstract: This study examines the racialized gender differences of mental health service use, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and recidivism for justice-involved African American youth. Analyses were based on the Northwestern Juvenile Project Study, the first prospective longitudinal study that explores the mental health and substance use disorders and needs among a juvenile justice-involved population. Findings indicate that justice-involved African American girls were significantly more likely to receive mental health services at Follow-up 1 compared to boys and have a higher number of cumulative ACEs compared to boys at baseline. African American girls who received mental health services were more likely to be re-arrested compared to African American boys over time. We advocate for culturally responsive and gender responsive services to reduce recidivism among justice-involved African American youth. Furthermore, it is important to recognize bias within the juvenile justice system that may hinder positive outcomes for youth. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Williams-Butler, A., Liu, FY., Howell, T. et al. Racialized Gender Differences in Mental Health Service Use, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Recidivism Among Justice-Involved African American Youth. Race Soc Probl 15, 101–114 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12552-022-09360-9