Author ORCID Identifier

Dexter R. Voisin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-5-2021

Abstract

Depression rates for youth remanded to juvenile detention is double that of the general population and Black girls are especially vulnerable. A dearth of literature analyzes the factors that are correlated with depression among system-involved Black girls, ages 12–17 years old. We utilized personal agency to examine the relationship between risk factors (i.e., abuse history, and fear of condom negotiation) and protective factors (i.e., condom self-efficacy, and perceived social support) that might correlate with depression among Black girls exposed to violence. Findings indicate that fear of condom negotiation, abuse history and low condom self-efficacy are correlated with depressive symptomology while self-esteem and perceived social support are protective factors that may serve as a buffer against girls’ feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The findings of this study suggest several implications for prevention and intervention efforts to reduce the depression-related risks among justice-involved Black females, including strategies that promote healing within their social support networks.

Keywords

black girls, depression, mental health, trauma

Publication Title

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

Volume

9

Issue

1

First Page

146

Last Page

155

Rights

© 2021. W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.

Comments

This is a peer reviewed Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Springer in Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, available at: 10.1007/s40615-020-00937-x

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