title: Internalizing symptoms linking youths' maltreatment and delinquent behavior.
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.
authors.affiliation: University of Denver, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Ariana W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Postlewait
authors.forename: Sanna J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Springer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002669:Child Welfare; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*