Coping strategies and traumatic brain injury in incarcerated youth: a mediation analysis. (6th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veeh, Christopher A.; Vaughn, Michael G.; Renn, Tanya
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 32:Number 13/14(2018)
• Page Start: 1795
• Page End: 1802
• Publication Date: 2018-12-06
• Subjects: Young offenders -- traumatic brain injury -- coping -- substance abuse -- depression -- anxiety; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1537007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

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.