Citation

Veeh CA, Vaughn MG, Renn T. Brain Inj. 2018; 32(13-14): 1795-1802.

Affiliation

College of Social Work , Florida State University , Tallahassee , Florida , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2018.1537007

PMID

30359145

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Investigation into whether coping strategies mediated the relationship of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on depression/anxiety and alcohol and drug problems within incarcerated youth. SUBJECTS: A non-probability sample of youth (N = 227) adjudicated for a variety of offences.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study within two long-term residential facilities for youth offenders in Pennsylvania. TBI assessed with question about lifetime head injury with blackout. Coping measured with Coping Strategies Inventory that included domains of acting-out coping, internalised coping, partying coping, prosocial coping, and expressing coping. Outcomes of depression/anxiety as well as alcohol and drug problems measured with Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2.

RESULTS: Mediation was suggested for acting-out coping and internalised coping with 45% and 48% of the total effect mediated between TBI and depression/anxiety, respectively. For alcohol and drug problems, mediation was indicated for acting-out coping and partying coping. Acting-out coping mediated 33% and partying coping mediated 51% of the total effect between TBI and alcohol and drug problems.

CONCLUSION: Study results suggest that addressing the use of avoidant coping, such as acting-out coping, internalised coping, or partying coping, by youth with TBI in the criminal justice system could help ameliorate depression/anxiety and abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Language: en

Keywords

Young offenders; anxiety; coping; depression; substance abuse; traumatic brain injury