The Relationship Between Abusive Experiences and Staff Controls in Juvenile Correctional Facilities: The Mediating Effects of Externalizing Behavior. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodge, Ashleigh I.; Yoder, Jamie R.
• Is Part Of: Criminal justice and behavior. Volume 44:Number 10(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1281
• Page End: 1299
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: abuse -- adverse childhood experiences -- externalizing behavior -- incarcerated youth -- physical control -- isolation -- juvenile correctional facility staff; Correctional psychology -- Periodicals; 364.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854817727796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-8548

Abstract

To maintain safety and order, some correctional settings permit the use of controls on youth in response to behavioral problems; however, use of controls may exacerbate trauma symptoms that many youth bring to the carceral experience. Data from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement are used in this study ( N = 7, 073). Structural equation modeling was used to test three hypotheses: (a) youth with a history of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse report greater use of staff controls; (b) externalizing behaviors partially mediate this relationship; and (c) externalizing behavior and staff controls are mutually reinforcing. Findings suggest that youth with physical and sexual abuse histories experience greater staff controls. Externalizing behavior was a partial mediator and a reciprocal product of staff controls. Such findings warrant caution for institutional policies and staff practices that promote the use of control, and instead call for the use of trauma-informed responses to misbehavior.