This study sought to (a) describe demographic and mental health (MH) differences between truant juvenile justice–involved youth (JJY) and non-truant JJY; (b) classify MH needs of truant JJY; and (c) investigate whether the interactions between race, ethnicity, gender, and MH needs predict truancy recidivism.
Participants were 10,603 truant JJY (54 percent male; non-Hispanic White, 46.8 percent; 16.2 percent with a history of pretrial detention). Of these participants, 2,167 with MH data were included in latent profile analyses and recidivism analyses. Hispanic youth and female youth were more likely to be truant. Non-Hispanic White JJY had a higher likelihood of a repeated truancy charge. Four MH classes emerged: elevated Alcohol/Drug Use (7.9 percent), elevated Angry–Irritable and Depressed–Anxious symptoms (19.5 percent) elevated Suicide Ideation (7.1 percent), and low MH needs (65.5 percent) Race, ethnicity, gender, and MH needs were informative as potential factors contributing to truancy. These factors should be examined in future studies that compare truant with non-truant JJY. (publisher abstract modified)
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