Adolescent Depression Among Juvenile Offenders

Despite research consistently demonstrating a link between

childhood maltreatment and depression, our understanding of the

potential mediators of this relationship remains limited. Based on the

existing literature and corresponding theories, a theoretical model was

constructed to assess the effects of childhood maltreatment,

impulsivity, hopelessness, and substance use on adolescent offenders'

depression severity. This model was tested for sexual abuse, physical

abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect using a series of path

analyses. Impulsivity and hopelessness partially mediated the effects of

childhood sexual abuse and emotional abuse on depression severity,

and fully mediated the effects of childhood physical abuse and

emotional neglect. Contrary to expectation, substance use did not

mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and

depression severity. These results suggest that childhood maltreatment,

impulsivity, and hopelessness may be important variables to include in

clinical research related to depression in incarcerated youth.