Child Maltreatment and Profiles of Mental Health Problems and Delinquent Behavior Among Adolescents

Background: It has been indicated that experiences of child maltreatment are associated with poor mental health outcomes and delinquent behavior in adolescents. However, it seems that not all adolescents with experiences of child maltreatment are at risk for mental health problems and delinquent behavior. There might be heterogenous patterns of adolescent mental health outcomes and delinquent behavior according to subtypes of maltreatment and demographic characteristics. To better understand the patterns, the study aimed to identify distinct classes of mental health outcomes and delinquent behavior and to investigate the associations between predictors and class memberships.

Methods: Using data from the most recent wave (at Year 15) of the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study, 882 adolescents were included in the final analytic sample. The study employed latent class analysis (LCA) to identify the prevalence of distinct combinations or classes of mental health problems, delinquent behavior, and dating violence among adolescents. Self-report measures of impulsivity, depression, and anxiety symptoms were used to assess mental health problems. Delinquent behavior (e.g., hurt someone badly enough to need medical care, stolen something, used a weapon, sold marijuana or drugs), dating violence (both perpetration and victimization), and tobacco use were measured. The study also examined whether experiences of child maltreatment or race/ethnicity would predict the class membership.

Results: LCA fit indices suggested that the three-class model fit the data best. The three classes were identified: (1) Class 1: High risk for delinquent behavior and severe mental health problems (47.3%); (2) Class 2: Low risk for delinquent behavior and moderate to severe mental health problems (26.7%); (3) Class 3: Moderate risk for delinquent behavior and mild mental health problems (26%). The Class 1 was characterized by a high likelihood of mental health problems (impulsivity, depression, and anxiety), delinquent behavior, and dating violence. The Class 2 was characterized by a low likelihood of delinquent behavior, teen tobacco use, and dating violence and moderate to high risk for depression and anxiety. The Class 3 was characterized by a high likelihood of delinquent behavior and mild depression and anxiety. Race/ethnicity and experiences of child maltreatment were associated with class membership.

Conclusions and Implications: The study identified subgroups of adolescents with distinct profiles of mental health problems, delinquent behavior, dating violence, and tobacco use. Importantly, experiences of child maltreatment and race/ethnicity were associated with class membership. These findings highlight the importance of intervention and prevention strategies targeted at lowering the risk for mental health problems and delinquent behavior among adolescents, especially those who are racial/ethnic minority or have experiences of child maltreatment.